"
"Fear not," she said; "I say again that in thine home shall all things
look kindly on thee."
Once more she sat silent, and no word did his heart bid him speak.
Then she sighed and said: "Fair lord, I bid thee come and go in this
house as thou wilt; but whereas there are many folk who must needs see me,
and many things are appointed for me to do, therefore I pray thee to come
hither in three days' space, and meanwhile I will look to the matter
of thy search, that I may speed thee on the way to Utterness, which is
no great way from Utterbol, and is the last town whereof we know aught.
And I will write a letter for thee to give to the lord of Utterbol,
which he will heed, if he heedeth aught my good-will or enmity.
I beseech thee come for it in three days wearing."
Therewith she arose and took his hand and led him to the door,
and he departed, blessing her goodness, and wondering at her
courtesy and gentle speech.
For those three days he was still seeking tidings everywhere,
till folk began to know of him far and wide, and to talk of him.
And at the time appointed he went to the Queen's House and was
brought to her chamber as before, and she was alone therein.
She greeted him and smiled on him exceeding kindly, but he might
not fail to note of her that she looked sad and her face
was worn by sorrow. She bade him sit beside her, and said:
"Hast thou any tidings of the woman whom thou seekest?"
"Nay, nay," said he, "and now I am minded to carry on the search
out-a-gates.
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