As I landed and climbed the path again, I caught sight of Camilla,
standing by the parapet of the east bastion, in converse with
Marc'antonio and Stephanu. She had braided her hair, and done away
with all traces of mourning, At the turret door her mother met me,
equally neat and composed.
"I have been waiting for you," said the Queen. "Come, O son, for I
want your advice."
She led me up past the second window of the turret, lifted the latch
of an iron-studded door in the opposite wall, and, pushing it open,
motioned me to enter.
"But what is this?" said I, gazing around upon two camp beds, spread
with white coverlets, and a dressing-table with a jugful of
lilac-coloured stocks, such as grew in the crannies of the keep and
the rock-ledges under the platform.
"I had no mother," said she, "to prepare my bride-chamber, and rough
is the best I can prepare for my child. But it is done with my
blessing."
"Madame--" said I, flushing hotly, and paused at the sound of a
footstep on the stair.
It was the Princess who came; and in an angry haste. She kissed her
mother, thrust her gently from the room, and so, closing the door,
stood with her back against it.
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