At its foot was another door, whereon she knocked four times.

Bolts shot back, keys turned, and it was opened by a black porter, beyond whom stood a second Moor, also with drawn sword.

They passed him as they had passed the first, turned down a little passage to the right, ending in some steps, and came to a third door, in front of which she halted.
"Now," she said, "nerve yourself for the trial." "What trial ?" he asked, supporting himself against the wall, for he found his legs still weak.
"This," she answered, pointing to her waist, "and these," and she touched her rich, red lips with her taper finger-points.

"Would you like to practise a little, my innocent English knight, before we go out?
You look as though you might seem awkward and unconvincing." "I think," answered Peter drily, for the humour of the situation moved him, "that such practice is somewhat dangerous for me.

It might annoy you before I had done.