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 .
who was bent almost double, and was so wizened and wrinkled ?
an old woman .
an old woman .