She displeased him and even made him feel somewhat anxious, as if she were a creature different from all others.
"It is my brother Guillaume who has sent me," he said.
At this her face again changed; she became grave and hastened to admit him to the passage.

And when the door was closed she answered: "You have brought us news of him, then! I must apologise for receiving you in this fashion.

The servants have just finished some washing, and I was making sure if the work had been well done.

Pray excuse me, and come in here for a moment; it is perhaps best that I should be the first to know the news." So saying, she led him past the kitchen to a little room which served as scullery and wash-house.

A tub full of soapy water stood there, and some dripping linen hung over some wooden bars.