Why hast thou chosen this hour for thy visit ?" "Because the matter presses of which I wish to speak," answered Ani; "and in the evening I might easily be challenged by the watch.

My disguise is good.

Under this robe I wear my usual dress.

From this I shall go to the tomb of my father, where I shall take off this coarse thing, and these other disfigurements, and shall wait for my chariot, which is already ordered.

I shall tell people I had made a vow to visit the grave humbly, and on foot, which I have now fulfilled." "Well planned," muttered the old woman.
Ani pointed to the dwarf, and said politely: "Your pupil." Since her narrative the sorceress was no longer a mere witch in his eyes.
The old woman understood this, and saluted him with a curtsey of such courtly formality, that a tame raven at her feet opened his black beak wide, and uttered a loud scream.