After Vespers that day Prosper demanded an audience of the Lady
Abbess, and had it. He found her a handsome, venerable old lady, at
peace with all the world and, so far as that comported with her
religion, a woman of it. She had held high rank in it by right of
birth; she knew what it could do, and what not do, of good and evil.
Now that she was old enough to call its denizens her children, she
folded her hands and played grandmother. Naturally, therefore, she
knew Prosper by name; for that, as much as his frank looks, she made
him welcome. She did not ask it, but he could see that she expected to
be enlightened upon the subject of Isoult--doubtful company for a
knight; so having made up his mind how much he could afford to tell
her, he did not waste time in preliminaries.
"Madam," said he, after the first greetings of good company, "a knight
adventuring in this forest cannot see very far before his face, and
may make error worse by what he does to solve error. If by mischance
such a thing should befall him, he must not faint, but persist until
he has loosed not only the knot he has tied himself, but that as well
which he has made more inexorable."
The Lady Abbess bowed very graciously, waiting for him to be done with
phrases. Prosper went on-"I found this damsel in the hands of a knave, who offered her a choice
of death or dishonour. I took her into my own, and so far have spared
her either. The rascal who had her now lies with a split gullet many
leagues from here, in such a condition that he will trouble her no
more I hope. Add to this, that I have questioned her, and find her
honest, meek, and a Christian. She is, as you, will see for yourself,
very good-looking: it was near to be her undoing. I cannot tell you,
nor will you ask me, first, her name (for I am not certain of it),
second, the name of her enemy (for that would involve a great company
whereof he is a most unworthy member), nor third, what means I
employed to insure immunity for her body, and honour for my own as
well as hers; for this would involve us all. In time I shall certainly
achieve the adventure thus thrust upon me, but for the present my
intention is for High March Castle, and the Countess of Hauterive, who
was a friend of my father's, and is, as I know, one of yours. If you
will permit it I will leave Isoult with you. She will serve you well
and faithfully in a hundred ways; she is very handy and quick, a good
girl, anxious to be a better. If you can make a nun of her, well and
good: by that means the adventure will achieve itself. I leave you to
judge, however; but if you cannot help me there, let her stay with you
for a year. After that I will fetch her and achieve the adventure
otherwise."