"
"Yea," said Ralph, softly, and as if speaking to himself, "yet am
I lonely and unholpen." Then he turned to Agatha and said:
"The end of all this is that I pardon thee, and must depart forthwith;
for when ye two come back to the camp, then presently will
the hunt be up."
She rose from her knees, and stood before him humbly and said:
"Nay, I shall requite thee thy pardon thus far, that I will fashion
some tale for my lady which will keep us in the woods two days or three;
for we have provided victual for our adventure."
Said Ralph: "I may at least thank thee for that, and will trust in thee
to do so much." Quoth she: "Then might I ask a reward of thee:
since forsooth other reward awaiteth me at Utterbol."
"Thou shalt have it," said Ralph. She said: "The reward is that thou
kiss me ere we part."
"It must needs be according to my word," said Ralph, "yet I must
tell thee that my kiss will bear but little love with it."
She answered naught but laid her hands on his breast and put
up her face to him, and he kissed her lips. Then she said:
"Knight, thou hast kissed a thrall and a guileful woman,
yet one that shall smart for thee; therefore grudge not the kiss
nor repent thee of thy kindness."
"How shalt thou suffer?" said he. She looked on him steadfastly
a moment, and said: "Farewell! may all good go with thee."
Therewith she turned away and walked off slowly through the wood,
and somewhat he pitied her, and sighed as he got into his saddle;
but he said to himself: "How might I help her? Yet true it is
that she may well be in an evil case: I may not help everyone.
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