Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/150

138 ; and such a one being pointed out, he went, and delivered to him ten talents. He then prepared for a pilgrimage. His business completed, he returned, and demanded the amount of what he had reposited. But his agent proving a rogue, asserted that he had never seen him; and totally regardless of the knight's supplications and conciliatory language, bade him with much contumely trouble him no further. The knight, exceedingly disturbed at such unexpected usage, having accidentally met an old woman equipped in the garb of a devotee, and supported by a staff, removed a number of stones which stood in the way, and which might have cut her feet. Observing the despondency of the knight's demeanour, and at the same time suspecting that he was a foreigner, she entreated him to come near, and questioned him upon the cause of his solicitude. He explained it without hesitation, and the old woman counselled him what he should do. "Bring me," said she, "to a man of your own country whom we may trust. He did so, and she directed him to fabricate ten chests, painted outwardly