III. Guests in Calidon Tower

           "Willyouenter,sirs?"saidthegirl.Shewascladinsomedarkhomespunstuffwithabright-colouredscreenthrownoverherheadandshoulders.Sheheldthelightwellinfrontofher,sothatDavidcouldnotseeherface.Hewouldfainhavetakenhisleave,foritseemedstrangetobeenteringCalidonthuslateate’eninthecompanyofstrangers,butthehandofthegroomonhisarmrestrainedhim."Youwilldrinkastirrup-cup,friend.Thenightisyetyoungandthemoonishigh."

           Asteepstairwayranupwardayardortwofromthedoorway.CalidonwasstillaBorderkeep,wheretheground-floorhadoncebeenusedforbyresandstables,andtheinhabitantshaddweltintheupperstories.Thegirlmovedaheadofthem."Willyoubepleasedtofollowme,sirs?Myuncleawaitsyouabove."

           Theyfoundthemselvesinahugechamberwhichfilledthewidthofthetower,and,butforapassageandafurtherstaircase,itslength.Adozencandles,whichseemedtohavebeenlitinhaste,showedthatitwasrafteredwithdarkoakbeams,andthatthewallswerenakedstonewheretheywerenotcoveredwithacoarsearras.Thefloor,ofagreatage,wasbarewoodblackenedwithtimeanduse,andcoveredwithamotleyofsheepskinsanddeerskins.Twolongoaktablesandagreatoakbenchmadethechieffurniture,buttherewereamultitudeofstoolsofthesameheavyancientmake,andbyabigopenfireplacetwoancientchairsofstampedSpanishleather.