"
Now the lady lifted up her face, and she was grown somewhat pale;
but she forced her speech to come, and said: "It is well, Lord,
but now come thou into my pavilion, for thy meat is ready,
and it lacketh but a minute or so of noon." So he took her hand
and led her in to the pavilion, and all men got off their horses,
and fell to pitching the tents and getting their meat ready;
but Otter drew Ralph apart into a nook of the homestead,
and there they ate their meat together.
CHAPTER 36
The Talk of Two Women Concerning Ralph
But when dinner was done, came David and a man with him bringing Ralph's
war gear, and bade him do it on, while the folk were fencing the lists,
which they were doing with such stuff as they had at the Tower; and the Lord
had been calling for Otter that he might command him what he should
tell to the marshals of the lists and how all should be duly ordered,
wherefore he went up unto the Tower whither the Lord had now gone.
So Ralph did on his armour, which was not right meet for tilting,
being over light for such work; and his shield in especial was but a target
for a sergeant, which he had brought at Cheaping Knowe; but he deemed
that his deftness and much use should bear him well through.
Now, the Lady had abided in her pavilion when her Lord went abroad;
anon after she sent all her women away, save one whom she loved,
and to whom she was wont to tell the innermost of her mind; though forsooth
she mishandled her at whiles; for she was hot of temper, and over-ready
with her hands when she was angry; though she was nowise cruel.
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