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brooding； and who did not eat with us； entered and whispered to me
that my Master of Lading from the docks prayed to see me at once on a
matter which would brook no delay。 Making excuse to Blanche and the
company； I went out to see him in the shop and found the man much
disturbed。 It seemed that a certain vessel of mine that I had
rechristened /Blanche/ in honour of my wife； which lay in the stream
ready to sail； was in great danger because of the tempest。 Indeed； she
was dragging at her anchor； and it was feared that unless more anchors
could be let down she would come ashore and be wrecked against the
jetty…heads or otherwise。 The reason why this had not been done； was
that only the master and one sailor were on board the vessel； the rest
were feasting ashore in honour of my marriage； and refused to row out
to her； saying that the boat would be swamped in the gale。
Now this ship； although not very large； was the best and staunchest
that I owned； being almost new； moreover； the cargo on board of her；
laden for the Mediterranean； was of great value； so great indeed that
its loss would have been very grievous to me。 Therefore； it was plain
that I must see to the matter without delay； since from my servant's
account there was no hope that these rebellious sailors would listen
to any lesser man than myself。 So； if I would save the ship and her
cargo； I must ride for the docks at once。
Going back to the eating…chamber； in a few words I told my wife and
the guests how the matter stood； praying the oldest man among the
latter to take my place by the bride； which he did unwillingly；
muttering that this was an unlucky marriage feast。
Then it was that Blanche rose； beseeching me earnestly and almost with
tears that I would take her with me to the docks。 I laughed at her； as
did the company； but still she besought with much persistence； till I
began to believe that she must be afraid of something； though the
others cried that it was but love and fear lest I should come to harm。
In the end I made her drink a cup of wine with me； but her hand shook
so much that she spilled the cup and the rich red wine ran down her
breast； staining the whiteness of her robe； whereat some women among
the company murmured； thinking it a bad omen。 At length with a kiss I
tore myself away； for I could bide no longer and the horses were
waiting presently。 So I was riding for the docks as fast as the storm
would suffer； with tiles from the roofs； and when we were clear of
these the torn…off limbs of trees hurtling round me。 Kari； I should
say； would have accompanied me； but I took a serving…man； bidding Kari
bide where he was in the house in case he might be of service。
At last we came safely to the docks where I found all as my cargo…
master had described。 The ship /Blanche/ was in great peril and
dragging every minute towards a pierhead which； if she struck； would
stave her in and make an end of her。 The men； too； were still feasting
in the inn with their wharfside trollops； and some of them half drunk。
I spoke to them； showing them their shame； and saying that if they
would not come； I and my man would take a boat and get aboard alone
and this upon my wedding day。 Then they hung their heads and came。
We won to the ship safely though with much toil and danger； and there
found the master almost crazed with fear and doubt of the issue； and
the man with him injured by a falling block。 Indeed； this poor captain
clung to the rail； watching the cable as it dragged the anchor and
fearing every moment lest it should part。
The rest is soon told。 We got out two more anchors and did other
things such as sailors know； to help in such a case。 When all was as
safe as it could be made； I and my man and four sailors started for
the quay； telling the master that I would return upon the morrow。 The
wind and current aiding us； we landed safe and sound and at once I
rode back to Cheapside。
Now； though it is short to tell； all this had taken a long while； also
the way was far to ride in such a storm。 Thus it came about that it
was nigh to ten o'clock at night when； thanking God； I dismounted at
the gate of my house and bade the servant take the horses to the
stable。 As I drew near the door； it opened； which astonished me and；
as the light within showed； there stood Kari。 What astonished me still
more； he had the great sword； Wave…Flame； in his hand； though not
drawn； which sword he must have fetched from where it was kept with
the French knight's armour and the shield that bore three arrows as a
cognizance。
Laying his finger on his lips he shut the door softly； then said in a
low voice：
〃Master； there is a man up yonder with the lady。〃
〃What man？〃 I asked。
〃That same lord； Master； who came here with her once before to buy
jewels and borrow gold。 Hearken。 The feast being finished the guests
went away at fall of night； but the wife…lady withdrew herself into
the chamber that is called sun…room （the solar）； that up the stairs；
which looks out on the street。 About one hour gone there came a knock
at the door。 I who was watching； opened； thinking it was you returned；
and there stood that lord。 He spoke to me； saying：
〃'Moor…man； I know that your master is from home； but that the lady is
here。 I would speak with her。'
〃Now I would have turned him away； but at that moment the lady
herself； who it seemed was watching； came down the stairs； looking
very white； and said：
〃'Kari； let the lord come in。 I have matters of your master's business
about which I must talk with him。' So； Master； knowing that you had
lent money to this lord； I obeyed； though I liked it not； and having
fetched the sword which I thought perchance might be needed； I
waited。〃
This was the substance of what he said； though his talk was more
broken since he never learned to speak English well and helped it out
with words of his own tongue； of which； as I have told； he had taught
me something。
〃I do not understand；〃 I exclaimed； when he had finished。 〃Doubtless
it is little or nothing。 Yet give me the sword； for who knows？ and
come with me。〃
Kari obeyed； and as I went up the stairs I buckled Wave…Flame about
me。 Also Kari brought two candles of Italian wax lighted upon their
stands。 Coming to the door of the solar I tried to open it； but it was
bolted。
〃God's truth！〃 I said； 〃this is strange；〃 and hammered on the panel
with my fist。
Presently it opened； but before entering it； for I feared some trick；
I stood without and looked in。 The room was lit by a hanging lamp and
a fire burned brightly on the hearth； for the night was cold。 In an
oak chair by the fire and staring into it sat Blanche still as any
statue。 She glanced round and saw me in the light of the candles that
Kari held； and again stared into the fire。 Half…way between her and
the door stood Deleroy； dressed as ever in fine clothes； though I
noted that his cape was off and hung over a stool near the fire as
though to dry。 I noted also that he wore a sword and a dagger。 I
entered the room； followed by Kari； shut the door behind me and shot
the bolt。 Then I spoke； asking：
〃Why are you here with my wife； Lord Delero