Part 5 (2/2)
”Naturally not! Still-” Lady Desdea looked over her shoulder in annoyance, as into the parlour came Lady Marmone, her face suffused with anger.
Lady Desdea spoke crisply: ”Narcissa, if you please, I am consulting with Her Majesty upon a most serious affair. If you will be kind enough to-”
Lady Marmone, as stern and doughty as Lady Desdea herself, made a furious gesture. ”Your business can wait! What I have to say must be said at this very instant! Not five minutes ago, as I crossed the kitchen yard, I was. .h.i.t on the forehead by an overripe quince, thrown down from the arcade above.”
Queen Sollace gave a throaty cry. ”Yet again?”
” 'Yet' or 'again', whatever you like! It happened as I have described it! Outrage gave me vigor; I ran at speed up the stairs hoping to waylay the perpetrator, and who should come trotting from the corridor, smiling and gay, but the Princess Madouc!”
”Madouc?” ”Madouc?” cried out Queen Sollace and Lady Desdea together, as if in one voice.
”Who else? She confronted me without a qualm and even asked me to move aside so that she might continue on her way.
Nevertheless, I detained her and asked: 'Why did you hurl a quince at me?' She said, quite soberly: 'With nothing more suitable at hand, I used quince; this was on the strong advice of His Majesty the King.' I cried out: 'Am I to understand that His Majesty advised you to such a deed? Why should he do so?' And she responded: 'Perhaps he feels that you and Lady Desdea are inexcusably tiresome and tedious in your instruction.'”
”Astonis.h.i.+ng!” said Lady Desdea. ”I am dumbfounded!”
Lady Marmone went on: ”I told her: 'Out of respect for your rank, I may not properly chastise you as you deserve, but I will immediately report this outrage to Her Majesty the Queen!' The princess responded with an airy shrug and continued on her way. Is it not remarkable?”
”Remarkable but not unique!” said Lady Desdea. ”I suffered in the same degree, but it was King Casmir himself who hurled the fruit.”
Lady Marmone stood silent for a moment, then said: ”In that case, I am confused indeed!”
Queen Sollace heaved herself erect. ”I must get to the bottom of this! Come! Before the hour is out we shall know what is what and which is which.”
The queen and her two ladies, with Father Umphred coming un.o.btrusively behind, found King Casmir in conference with the High Seneschal Sir Mungo and the royal secretary Pacuin.
Casmir looked around with a frown, then rose heavily to his feet. ”My dear Sollace, what is so urgent as to bring you here during my consultations?”
”I must have a word with you in private,” said Sollace. ”Be good enough to dismiss your counsellors, if only for a few moments.”
Casmir, noting Lady Desdea and her set countenance, divined the purpose of the visit. At his signal, Sir Mungo and Pacuin left the room. Casmir jerked his finger at Father Umphred. ”You may also go.”
Father Umphred, smiling his kindly smile, departed the chamber.
”Now then,” said King Casmir, ”what is the matter?”
In a tumble of words Queen Sollace explained the situation. King Casmir listened with stolid patience.
Sollace terminated her remarks. ”You now will understand my concern. Essentially, we are puzzled as to why you threw fruit at Lady Desdea and then encouraged Madouc to work the same mischief upon Lady Marmone.”
Casmir spoke to Lady Desdea. ”Bring Madouc here at once.” Lady Desdea left the chamber and a few moments later returned with Madouc, who entered the room somewhat reluctantly.
King Casmir spoke in even tones. ”I ordered you to throw no more fruit.”
”Indeed you did, Sire, in the direction of Lady Desdea, and you also advised against the use of substances more offensive, in connection with Lady Desdea. I followed your advice exactly.”
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