"
She laughed and said: "Nay, why should I torment thee...or me?
We will not tarry for this." And therewith she took her arm
about his neck and kissed him oft.
Then they said naught awhile, but sat listening happily
to the song of the pairing birds. At last Ralph said:
"What was it, beloved, that thou wert perchance to tell me concerning
the thing that caused thine heart to see that thy betrothed,
for whom thou wepst or seemedst to weep at the ale-house
at Bourton Abbas, was of no avail to thee?"
She said: "It was the sight of thee; and I thought also how I might
never be thine. For that I have sorrowed many a time since."
Said Ralph: "I am young and unmighty, yet lo!
I heal thy sorrow as if I were an exceeding mighty man.
And now I tell thee that I am minded to go back with thee
to Upmeads straightway; for love will prevail."
"Nay," she said, "that word is but from the teeth outwards;
for thou knowest, as I do, that the perils of the homeward
road shall overcome us, despite of love, if we have not drunk
of the Well at the World's End."
Again they were silent awhile, but anon she arose to her feet and said:
"Now must I needs dight victual for us twain; but first"
(and she smiled on him withal), "how is it that thou hast not asked
me if the beast did me any hurt? Art thou grown careless of me,
now the wedding is so nigh?"
He said: "Nay, but could I not see thee that thou wert not hurt?
There was no mark of blood upon thee, nor any stain at all.
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