And whiles he was pensive and silent, even when she was by him,
and she noted it and forbore somewhat the sweetness of her glances,
and the caressing of her soft speech: though oft when he looked on
her fondly, the blood would rise to her cheeks, and her bosom would
heave with the thought of his desire, which quickened hers so sorely,
that it became a pain and grief to her.
CHAPTER 13
Of Ursula and the Bear
It befell on a fair sunny morning of spring, that Ralph sat alone
on the toft by the rock-house, for Ursula had gone down the meadow
to disport her and to bathe in the river. Ralph was fitting the blade
of a dagger to a long ashen shaft, to make him a strong spear;
for with the waxing spring the bears were often in the meadows again;
and the day before they had come across a family of the beasts
in the sandy bight under the mountains; to wit a carle, and a quean
with her cubs; the beasts had seen them but afar off, and whereas
the men were two and the sun shone back from their weapons, they had
forborne them; although they were fierce and proud in those wastes,
and could not away with creatures that were not of their kind.
So because of this Ralph had bidden Ursula not to fare abroad without
her sword, which was sharp and strong, and she no weakling withal.
He bethought him of this just as he had made an end of his spear-shaping,
so therewith he looked aside and saw the said sword hanging
to a bough of a little quicken-tree, which grew hard by the door.
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