you not take the trencher?"

The young man stepped to the opening and, taking the tray from her,
placed it on the bench as he had previously done; then repeated his
invitation.

"You were displeased with my company before, my Lord, and I am loath
again to offend."

"Beatrix, I beg you to enter. I have something to say to you."

"Stout chains bar not words, my Lord. Speak and I shall listen."

"What I have to say, is for your ear alone."

"Then are the conditions perfect for such converse, my Lord. No guard
stands within this hall."

The Count sighed deeply, turned and sat again on the bench, burying his
face in his hands. The maiden having given excellent reasons why she
should not enter, thus satisfying her sense of logic, now set logic at
defiance, slipped under the lowest chain and stood within the room,
and, so that there might be no accusation that she did things by
halves, closed the door leaning her back against it. The knight looked
up at her and saw that she too had rested but indifferently. Her lovely
eyes half veiled, showed traces of weeping, and there was a wistful
expression in her face that touched him tenderly, and made him long for
her; nevertheless he kept a rigid government upon himself, and sat
there regarding her, she flushing, slightly under his scrutiny, not
daring to return his ardent gaze.