When the man stayed his horse she came forward and stood within the slack
of the rope by the horse's head, and Ralph could see her well, that though she
was not to say naked, her raiment was but scanty, for she had nought to cover
her save one short and strait little coat of linen, and shoes on her feet.
Yet Ralph deemed her to be of some degree, whereas he caught the gleam
of gold and gems on her hands, and there was a golden chaplet on her head.
She stood now by the horse's head with her hands folded, looking on,
as if what was tiding and to betide, were but a play done for her pleasure.
So when Ralph looked on her, he was silent a while; and the spearman cried
out again: "Ho, young man, wilt thou speak, or art thou dumb-foundered
for fear of us?"
But Ralph knit his brows, and was first red and then pale;
for he was both wroth, and doubtful how to go to work;
but he said:
"I ride to seek adventures; and here meseemeth is one come to hand.
Or what will ye with the woman?"
Said the man who had the woman in tow: "Trouble not thine head therewith;
we lead her to her due doom. As for thee, be glad that thou art
not her fellow; since forsooth thou seemest not to be one of them;
so go thy ways in peace."
"No foot further will I go," said Ralph, "till ye loose the woman
and let her go; or else tell me what her worst deed is."
The man laughed, and said: "That were a long tale to tell; and it
is little like that thou shalt live to hear the ending thereof.
Pages:
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78