Then Ralph looked around for Ursula; but she had already run
back to the river-side and was casting her raiment on her;
so he awaited her beside the slain bear, but with drawn sword,
lest the other bear should come upon them; for this was
the he-bear. Howbeit he saw naught save presently Ursula all
clad and coming towards him speedily; so he turned toward her,
and when they met he cast himself upon her without a word,
and kissed her greedily; and she forbore not at all, but kissed
and caressed him as if she could never be satisfied.
So at last they drew apart a little, and walked quietly toward
the rock-house hand in hand. And on the way she told him that even
as she came up on to the bank from the water she saw the bear coming
down on her as fast as he could drive, and so she but caught up
her axe, and ran for it: "Yet I had little hope, dear friend,"
she said, "but that thou shouldst be left alone in the wilderness."
And therewith she turned on him and cast her arms about him again,
all weeping for joy of their two lives.
Thus slowly they came before the door of their rock-house and Ralph said:
"Let us sit down here on the grass, and if thou art not over wearied
with the flight and the battle, I will ask thee a question."
She laid herself down on the grass with a sigh, yet it was as of one
who sighs for pleasure and rest, and said, as he sat down beside her:
"I am fain to rest my limbs and my body, but my heart is at rest;
so ask on, dear friend.
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