The chaperons forgot their gout and each other, and Jane, who was the
most affected of all, had a genuine excuse for giving vent to her
grief and went to bed--by far the safest place for her.
What was to be done? First we sent a message to the king, who would
probably have us all flayed alive--a fear which the chaperons shared
to the fullest extent. Next, an armed party rode back to look again
for Mary, and, if possible, rescue her.
The fact that I had been out the entire night before, together with
the small repute in which I was held for deeds of arms, excused me
from taking part in this bootless errand, so again I profited by the
small esteem in which I was held. I say I profited, for I stayed at
the castle with Jane, hoping to find my opportunity in the absence of
everybody else. All the ladies but Jane had ridden out, and the
knights who had been with me scouring the forest were sleeping, since
they had not my incentive to remain awake. They had no message to
deliver; no duty to perform for an absent friend.
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