Here and there he saw peasants going into the fields to begin
the long, long day of toil. The saddle on which he sat had been
the property of a short man, for the stirrups were too high, and
the prince's were too low. But neither desired to waste time to
adjust them. And so they rode with dangling legs and bodies
sunken in the saddles; mute, as if by agreement.
They had gone perhaps ten miles when they perceived a horse
flying toward them, half a mile away. The rider was not yet
visible. They felt no alarm, but instinctively they drew
together. Nearer and nearer came the lonely horseman, and as the
distance lessened into some hundred yards they discerned the
flutter of a gown.
"A woman!" exclaimed Maurice. "And alone this time of morning!"
"Eh?" cried the prince; "and heading for the duchy? Let us wait."
They drew up to the side of the highway. The woman came
fearlessly on, her animal's head down and his tail flaring out
behind. On, on; abreast of them; as she flew past there was a
vision of a pale, determined face, a blond head bared to the
chill wind. She heeded not their challenge; it was a question
whether or not she heard it.
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