There was new resolution in her movements when at last she left the window and went toward Elfgiva’s bower. “I will try once more to entice her to the Palace, so that I can get tidings,” she determined. “Perhaps it will be easier if at first I suggest no more than a ride, and after that allure her by degrees. I wonder what kind of humor she is in.”
It was not necessary to go far to obtain a hint as to that. Even as she entered the passage, she heard from the bower-chamber the crash of a chair overturned, the scramble of scurrying feet, and then screams and the thud of blows.
“Now it is heard that she is not sulking among her cushions,” Randalin observed. “When her temper is up she is little afraid of doing things which she else would not dare do.”
According to that her expectations should have mounted high, as she drew aside the door curtain, for the Lady of Northampton was far from sulking. Partially disrobed, as she had sprung up from before her mirror, she was holding the luckless Dearwyn with one hand while with the other she administered pitiless punishment from a long club-like candle which she had snatched from its holder. Between her entreaties for mercy, the little maid was shrieking with pain; now, at sight of Randalin, she redoubled her struggles so that the belt by which her mistress grasped her burst and left her free to dart forward and fling herself behind the Danish girl.
“Help me, help me!” she gasped; as Elfgiva swooped upon both of them, her streaming hair taking on a resemblance to bristling fur, her eyes showing more of opal’s fire than of heaven’s blue.
“Come not betwixt, or I will treat you in a like manner,” the mistress panted. “Do you understand the evil she has wrought? She has broken the wing off my gold fly, besides tearing the hair half out of my head. It is not to be borne with!”
But the Valkyria’s fear of Elfgiva’s tongue did not extend to Elfgiva’s hands. Catching the dimpled wrists, she held them off with perfect coolness, as she said soothingly, “Now you tire yourself much, lady; and you will tire yourself more if you consent to the entertainment I came hither to propose.” She laughed, a little excitedly, as a thought struck her. “It may even be that you will not blame her for this, but rather take it as a sign that my advice is good.”