ppy as
when you saw her last. But do not tell her what has happened to David."

"There is no point in frightening her," Sophia agreed. "But when we
leave Orvieto, I want to take her with us."

"Whether you believe it or not, I am looking after her welfare," Tilia
said. "Just yesterday, John the Tartar offered me five thousand florins
to let him take her to Perugia with him when he follows the pope there.
He flew into a rage when I refused him. So, you see, I have even braved
the fury of the Tartars for Rachel's sake. Perhaps you will begin to
judge me a little more kindly."

Turning to leave the room, Sophia froze momentarily. It had not occurred
to her that Tilia would know that she had once hated her. The woman
_was_ penetrating. She felt a little more confident that Tilia would
have the wisdom to help her in this calamity.

Tilia, holding a candle, opened Rachel's door for Sophia. More
glittering gold had been added to the girl's bedroom since Sophia had
last visited her, and when the candle flame illuminated it, the room
seemed to blaze. Sophia blinked at the gold curtains before the windows
and the heavy cloth-of-gold draperies surrounding the bed.

All this, she thought, was to impress that horrible Tartar who came
here to lie with Rachel. How lucky Sophia had been to be able to share
her bed with a man she loved.

But thoughts of happiness with Daoud--memories--were like a knife in her
heart, now that he had been taken from her.

Tilia pulled the drape aside, and there was Rachel, curled up nude on
top of yellow silk sheets. Her skinny arms and legs made her look even
younger than she was. Sophia felt heartsick as Rachel's eyes opened wide
at the sudden light. She sat up in bed, dragging the sheet across her
body, then drew back against the wall. She looked terrified. Sophia
wondered what sort of awakenings Rachel was used to in this place, and a
sudden return of her rage at Tilia made her tremble.

_Well and happy, is she?_

But she dared not be angry with Tilia now. Tilia was the only person who
could help her.

Rachel's black eyes fell on Sophia, and the fear went out of her face.
It was replaced by a glad smile that hurt Sophia's heart all the more.

_I abandoned her to this, and yet she is happy to see me._

"I will leave you two to talk," Tilia said.

Sophia sat on the gold sheets and took Rachel's hand when Tilia was
gone. For a moment she forgot her own grief and fear, as an urge to
comfor