And Clement said that, though he dealt not in such wares,
he had often seen them sold, and knew the master of that market.
And when Ralph asked if the said master would answer questions
concerning the selling of men and of women, Clement smiled and said:
"Yea, yea, he will answer; for as he lives by selling thralls,
and every time a thrall is sold by him he maketh some gain by it,
it is to his profit that they change masters as often as may be;
and when thou askest of the woman whom thou art seeking,
he will be deeming that there will be some new chaffer ahead.
I will bring thee to him, and thou shalt ask him of what thou wilt,
and belike he will tell thee quietly over the wine-cup."
Therewith was Ralph well content, and he grew eager to enter
into the town.
They came to the gates a little before sunset, after they had passed
through much fair country; but nigh to the walls it was bare of trees
and thickets, whereas, said Clement, they had been cut down lest they
should serve as cover to strong-thieves or folk assailing the town.
The walls were strong and tall, and a great castle stood high up
on a hill, about which the town was builded; so that if the town were
taken there would yet be another town within it to be taken also.
But the town within, save for the said castle, was scarce so fairly
builded as the worst of the towns which Ralph had seen erst,
though there were a many houses therein.
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