“ThenletherremaininthechargeoftheCaptainJodd，“Iexclaimedangrily，“andinyourcharge，Martina，whoareaccustomedtoattendinguponher，andknowthatyouarebothanswerableforhersafetywithyourlives。Sendthecaptainoftheshiptomeandprepareadischargeforhim。Iwillnotseethiswomantillhehassailed，sinceuntilthenIamcommandedtokeepallsecret。Sendalsotheheadofficeroftheguard。“
Threedayswentby。TheImperialshiphadsailed，takingwithhermyformalacknowledgmentoftheEmperor’sletter，andthetimehadcomewhenoncemoreImustmeetIrenefacetoface。
IsatintheaudiencechamberofmyGreatHouse，andtherewaspresentwithmeonlyJodd，mylieutenantinoffice。Beingblind，Idarednotreceiveadesperatewomanalone，fearinglestshemightstabmeordoherselfsomemischief。AtthedoorofthechamberJoddtookherfromtheguards，whomhebaderemainwithincall，andconductedhertowhereIsat。Hetoldmeafterwardsthatshewasdressedasanun，awhitehoodhalfhidingherstillbeautifulfaceandasilvercrucifixhanginguponherbreast。
AsIheardhercomeIroseandbowedtoher，andmyfirstwordstoherweretoprayhertobeseated。
“Nay，“sheansweredinthatrich，well-rememberedvoiceofhers，“aprisonerstandsbeforethejudge。Igreetyou，GeneralOlaf，Iprayyourpardon——Michael——afterlongyearsofseparation。Youhavechangedbutlittle，andIrejoicetoseethatyourhealthisgoodandthattherankandprosperitywhichIgavehavenotbeentakenfromyou。“