But tell me, what is she?"
"Brother," said Ralph kindly, "she is my wife."
"I kiss her hands," said Hugh; "but of what lineage is she?"
"She is my wife," said Ralph. Said Hugh: "That is, forsooth,
a high dignity." Said Ralph: "Thou sayest sooth, though in mockery
thou speakest, which is scarce kind to thine own mother's son:
but learn, brother, that I am become a Friend of the Well,
and were meet to wed with the daughters of the best of the Kings:
yet is this one meeter to wed with me than the highest of the Queens;
for she also is a Friend of the Well. Moreover, thou sayest
it that the champions of the Dry Tree, who would think
but little of an earl for a leader, are eager to follow me:
and if thou still doubt what this may mean, abide, till in two days
or three thou see me before the foeman. Then shalt thou tell
me how much changed I am from the stripling whom thou knewest
in Upmeads a little while ago."
Then was Hugh somewhat abashed, and he said: "I crave thy pardon,
brother, but never had I a well filed tongue, and belike it hath
grown no smoother amid the hard haps which have befallen me of late.
Besides it was dull in there, and I must needs try to win a little
mirth out of kith and kin."
"So be it, lad," quoth Ralph kindly, "thou didst ask and I told,
and all is said."
"Yet forsooth," said Hugh, "thou hast given me marvel for marvel, brother."
"Even so," said Ralph, "and hereafter I will tell thee more when we sit safe
by the wine at Upmeads.
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