Three hours had not worn from thy departure ere tidings came to me
concerning him, that neither death nor wounding had befallen him;
and that his masterless horse and bloodstained saddle were but a device
to throw dust into our eyes, so that there might be no chase after
him by the men of the Abbot's bailiff, and that he might lightly
do as he would, to wit, swear himself into the riders of the Burg
of the Four Friths; for, in sooth, he was weary of me and mine.
Yet further, I must needs tell thee that I know now, that when I wept
before thee it was partly in despite, because I had found out in my heart
(though I bade it not tell me so much) that I loved him but little."
"Yea," said Ralph, "and when didst thou come to that knowledge
of thine heart?"
"Dear friend," she said, "mayhappen I may tell thee hereafter,
but as now I will forbear." He laughed for joy of her,
and in a little that talk fell down between them.
Despite the terror of the desert and the lonely ways, when Ralph
laid him down on his stony bed, happiness wrapped his heart about.
Albeit all this while he durst not kiss or caress her,
save very measurely, for he deemed that she would not suffer it;
nor as yet would he ask her wherefore, though he had it in his
mind that he would not always forbear to ask her.
Many days they rode that pass of the mountains, though it
was not always so evil and dreadful as at the first beginning;
for now again the pass opened out into little valleys, wherein was
foison of grass and sweet waters withal, and a few trees.
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