` You must call me the Lady Berberisca , ' she answered , sharply ; ` and this is my castle , to which I bid you welcome . You shall live here with me and be my husband . ' But at these words the knight let his spear fall , so surprised was he . ' I marry YOU ? why you must be a hundred at least ! ' cried he . ` You are mad ! All I desire is to inspect the castle and then go . ' As he spoke he heard the voices give a mocking laugh ; but the old woman took no notice , and only bade the knight follow her . Old though she was , it seemed impossible to tire her . There was no room , however small , she did not lead him into , and each room was full of curious things he had never seen before . At length they came to a stone staircase , which was so dark that you could not see your hand if you held it up before your face . ' I have kept my most precious treasure till the last , ' said the old woman ; ` but let me go first , for the stairs are steep , and you might easily break your leg . ' So on she went , now and then calling back to the young man in the darkness . But he did not know that she had slipped aside into a recess , till suddenly he put his foot on a trap door which gave way under him , and he fell down , down , as many good knights had done before him , and his voice joined the echoes of theirs . ` So you would not marry me ! ' chuckled the old witch . ` Ha ! ha ! Ha !
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darkness foot ha husband laugh length man stairs tire treasure