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The maiden uttered a pitiful, indistinct cry, like a child

frightened in its sleep; the traveller looked up in alarm, but

she was there no longer; he departed in confusion and felt the

loud beating of his heart; he knew not whether this strange

meeting should cause him amusement or shame or joy.

Meanwhile in the farmhouse they had not failed to notice that

some new guest had driven up before the porch. They had already

taken the horses to the stable and already, as befits an

honourable house, had given them generously of oats and hay, for

the Judge9 was never willing to adopt the new fashion of sending

a guest's horse to a Jew's inn. The servants had not come out to

welcome the traveller, but do not think that in the Judge's

mansion service was careless; the servants were waiting until the

Seneschal10 should attire him, who now behind the mansion was

arranging for the supper. He took the place of the master, and in

his absence was wont himself to welcome and entertain guests,

being a distant relative of the master and a friend of the house.