"
So they lighted down and let their horses graze what they could,
while they ate and drank; amidst which Ralph again asked Roger
of whither they were going. Said Roger: "I shall lead thee
to a good harbour, and a noble house of a master of mine,
wherein thou mayst dwell certain days, if thou hast a mind thereto,
not without solace maybe."
"And this master," said Ralph, "is he of the Dry Tree?"
Said Roger: "I scarce know how to answer thee without lying:
but this I say, that whether he be or not, this is true;
amongst those men I have friends and amongst them foes;
but fate bindeth me to them for a while." Said Ralph reddening:
"Be there any women amongst them?" "Yea, yea," quoth Roger,
smiling a little, "doubt not thereof."
"And that Lady of the Dry Tree," quoth Ralph, reddening yet more,
but holding up his head, "that woman whereof the Burgher spoke
so bitterly, threatening her with torments and death if they
might but lay hold of her; what wilt thou tell me concerning her?"
"But little," said Roger, "save this, that thou desirest to see her,
and that thou mayest have thy will thereon if thou wilt be
guided by me."
Ralph hearkened as if he heeded little what Roger said;
but presently he rose up and walked to and fro in short
turns with knit brows as one pondering a hard matter.
He spake nought, and Roger seemed to heed him nothing, though in
sooth he looked at him askance from time to time, till at last
he came and lay down again by Roger, and in a while he spake:
"I wot not why ye of the Dry Tree want me, or what ye will
do with me; and but for one thing I would even now ride away
from thee at all adventure.
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