The portress looked through the wicket.
"I am Torfrida," said a voice of terrible calm. "I am come to see the Lady
Godiva. Let me in."
The portress opened, utterly astounded.
"Madam?" said Martin eagerly, as Torfrida entered.
"What? What?" She seemed to waken from a dream. "God bless thee, thou good
and faithful servant"; and she turned again.
"Madam? Say!"
"What?"
"Shall I go back and kill him?" And he held out the little axe.
Torfrida snatched it from his grasp with a shriek, and cast it inside the
convent door.
"Mother Mary and all saints!" cried the portress, "your garments are in
rags, madam!"
"Never mind. Bring me garments of yours. I shall need none other till I
die!" and she walked in and on.
"She is come to be a nun!" whispered the portress to the next sister, and
she again to the next; and they all gabbled, and lifted up their hands and
eyes, and thanked all the saints of the calendar, over the blessed and
miraculous conversion of the Lady Torfrida, and the wealth which she would
probably bring to the convent.
Torfrida went straight on, speaking to no one, not even to the prioress;
and into Lady Godiva's chamber.
There she dropped at the countess's feet, and laid her head upon her
knees.
"I am come, as you always told me I should do.
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