As for the gentleman who struck him , he will be brought before my judges , and will plead his own cause , but I hardly think he can escape death , after having assaulted the heir to the crown . ' The young man raised his head as if to reply , but the king would not listen , and commanded his guards to put him under arrest , adding , however , that if the prisoner wished to visit any part of the city , he was at liberty to do so properly guarded , and in fifteen days he would be brought to trial before the highest judges in the land . The young man left the king 's presence , surrounded by soldiers , and accompanied by many of his friends , for he was a great favourite . By their advice he spent the fourteen days that remained to him going about to seek counsel from wise men of all sorts , as to how he might escape death , but no one could help him , for none could find any excuse for the blow he had given to the prince . The fourteenth night had come , and in despair the prisoner went out to take his last walk through the city . He wandered on hardly knowing where he went , and his face was so white and desperate that none of his companions dared speak to him . The sad little procession had passed some hours in this manner , when , near the gate of a monastery , an old woman appeared round a corner , and suddenly stood before the young man . She was bent almost double , and was so wizened and wrinkled that she looked at least ninety ; only her eyes were bright and quick as those of a girl . ` Sir , ' she said , ' I know all that has happened to you , and how you are seeking if in any wise you can save your life . But there is none that can answer that question save only I myself , if you will promise to do all I ask . ' At her words the prisoner felt as if a load had all at once been rolled off him . ` Oh , save me , and I will do anything ! ' he cried . ` It is so hard to leave the world and go out into the darkness . ' ` You will not need to do that , ' answered the old woman , ` you have only got to marry me , and you will soon be free . ' ` Marry you ? ' exclaimed he , ` but -- but -- I am not yet twenty , and you -- why , you must be a hundred at least ! Oh , no , it is quite impossible . ' He spoke without thinking , but the flash of anger which darted from her eyes made him feel uncomfortable . However , all she said was : ` As you like ; since you reject me , let the crows have you , ' and hurried away down the street .
Left XXXXX himself , the full horror of his coming death rushed upon the young man , and he understood that he had thrown away his sole chance of life .
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