'
"Thereat the Lord waxed very pale, and spake not, but looked
at that man of his who stood by Bull with a great sword in
his fist, and lifted up his hand twice, and let it fall twice,
whereat that man stepped back one pace, and swung his sword,
and smote Bull, and clave his skull.
"Then the colour came into the Lord's face again, and he said:
'Now, vassals, let us dine and be merry, for at least we have found
something in the mountains.' So they fell to and ate and drank,
and victual was given to me also, but I had no will to eat, for my
soul was sick and my heart was heavy, foreboding the uttermost evil.
Withal I was sorry for Bull Nosy, for he was no ill man and had
become my friend.
"So they abode there that night, leaving Bull lying like a dog
unburied in the wilderness; and on the morrow they took
the road to Utterbol, and went swiftly, having no baggage,
and staying but for victual, and for rest every night.
The Lord had me brought to him on that first evening of our journey,
and he saw me privily and spake to me, bidding me do shameful things,
and I would not; wherefore he threatened me grievously; and, I being
alone with him, bade him beware lest I should slay him or myself.
Thereat he turned pale, as he had done before Bull Nosy,
yet sent for none to slay me, but only bade me back to my keepers.
And so I came to Utterbol unscathed."
"And at Utterbol," said Ralph, "what befell thee there?"
Ursula smiled on him, and held up her finger; yet she answered:
"Utterbol is a very great house in a fair land, and there
are sundry roofs and many fair chambers.
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