Part 31 (1/2)

s.h.i.+mrod jumped to his feet and followed the young woman across the square. At a fruit-vendor's booth she began to select oranges from the display. s.h.i.+mrod watched a moment, then approached and touched her elbow. She looked around with a blank expression, failing to recognize s.h.i.+mrod in his present guise.

”Come aside with me a moment,” said s.h.i.+mrod. ”I want a few words with you.”

The maid hesitated and drew away. s.h.i.+mrod said: ”My business is in connection with your mistress. No harm will come to you.”

Puzzled and reluctant, the maid followed s.h.i.+mrod a few steps out into the square. ”What do you want of me?”

s.h.i.+mrod spoke in what he hoped was a rea.s.suring voice. ”I do not remember your name-if, indeed, I ever knew it.”

”I am Lillas. Why should you know me? I have no recollection of you.”

”Some time ago I called upon your mistress. You opened the door for me. Surely you remember?”

Lillas searched s.h.i.+mrod's face. ”You seem somehow familiar, though, in truth, I cannot place you exactly. The occasion must have been long ago.”

”So it was, but you are still in the service of Melancthe?”

”Yes. I have no fault to find with her-at least none that would prompt me to leave her.”

”She is an easy mistress?”

Lillas smiled sadly. ”She hardly notices whether I am here or there, whether I am in the house or gone. Still, she would not want me to stand here gossiping about her affairs.”

s.h.i.+mrod produced a silver form. ”What you tell me will travel no farther, and cannot be considered gossip.”

Lillas dubiously took the coin. ”For a fact, I am concerned for the lady. I understand no single phase of her conduct. Often she sits for hours looking out to sea. I go about my work and she pays me no heed, as if I were invisible.”

”Does she often receive visitors?”

”Seldom. Still, just this morning-” Lillas hesitated, and looked over her shoulder.

s.h.i.+mrod prompted her. ”Who was her visitor this morning?”

”He came early-a tall pale man with a scar on his face; I think he would be a Ska. He knocked at the door; I opened to him. He said: 'Tell your mistress that Torqual is here.'”

”I drew back and he came into the hall. I went to Lady Me lancthe and gave her the message.”

”Was she surprised?”

”I think she was perplexed and not well-pleased, but perhaps not altogether astonished. She hesitated only a moment, then went out into the hall. I followed, but remained behind the curtain, where I could watch through the crack. The two stood looking at each other a moment, then Torqual said: 'I am told that I must obey your commands. What do you know of this arrangement?'”

”The Lady Melancthe said: 'I am not sure of anything.'”

”Torqual asked: 'Did you not expect me?'”

'An intimation came-but nothing is clear and I must ponder,' said my lady. 'Go now! If I find commands for you, I will let you know.'

”At this Torqual seemed amused. 'And how will you do this?'”

”By means of a signal. If I am prompted in this direction, a black urn will appear on the wall by the gate. Should you see the black urn, then you may come again.”