And it
came into his mind that he had never known her name upon the earth.
Then again came the word: "So it is that I am not dead but alive
in the world, though I am far away from this land; and it is good
that thou shouldst go seek the Well at the World's End not all alone:
and the seeker may find me: and whereas thou wouldst know my name,
I hight Dorothea."
So fell the words again: and this image stood awhile as the other had done,
and as the other had done, departed, and once more the chamber became dark,
so that Ralph could not so much as see where was the window, and he knew
no more till he woke in the early morn, and there was stir in the street
and the voice of men, and the scent of fresh herbs and worts, and fruits;
for it was market-day, and the country folk were early afoot, that they
might array their wares timely in the market-place.
CHAPTER 16
Of the Tales of Swevenham
Old Richard was no worse than his word, and failed not to find
old acquaintance of Swevenham in the Saturday's market:
and Ralph saw naught of him till midweek afterwards. And he was
sitting in the chamber of the hostel when Richard came in to him.
Forsooth Blaise had bidden him come dwell in his fair house,
but Ralph would not, deeming that he might be hindered in his quest
and be less free to go whereso he would, if he were dwelling
with one who was so great with the magnates as was Blaise.
Now Ralph was reading in a book when Richard came in,
but he stood up and greeted him; and Richard said smiling:
"What have ye found in the book, lord?" Said Ralph:
"It telleth of the deeds of Alexander.
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