een finely holpen up,
for we could neither have gone back to the Tofts nor into the kingdom:
for I think my father would have hanged us if we had come back with a
'By the way, Christopher is slain.' But tell us, lad, what hath befallen
thee with yonder sweetling?"

"Yea, tell us," said David, "and sit down here betwixt us, with thy back
to the hazel-thicket, or we shall get no tale out of thee--tush, man,
Joanna will bring her back, and that right soon, I hope."

Christopher laughed, and sat down between them, and told all how it
had gone with him, and of Goldilind, who she was. The others hearkened
heedfully, and Gilbert said: "With all thou hast told us, brother, it
is clear we shall find it hard to dwell in Littledale; so soon as thy
loveling hath rested her at our house, we must go our ways to the Tofts,
and take counsel of our father."

Christopher yea-said this, and therewithal was come Joanna leading
Goldilind duly arrayed (yet still in her green gown, for she would none
other), fresh, blushing, and all lovely; and David and Christopher
did obeisance before her as to a great lady; but she hailed them as
brothers, merrily and kindly, and bade them kiss her; and they kissed
her cheek, but shyly, and especially David.

Thereafter they broke their fast under the oak trees, and spent a merry
hour, and then departed, the two women riding the horses, the others
afoot; so came they to the house of Littledale, some while before
sunset, and were merry and glad there. Young they were, troubles were
behind them, and many a joy before them.

CHAPTER XXIV. THEY TAKE COUNSEL AT LITTLEDALE.

Ten days they abode in the house of Littledale in all good cheer, and
Joanna led Goldilind here and there about the woods, and made much of
her, so that the heart within her was full of joy, for the freedom
of the wild-woods and all the life thereof was well-nigh new to her;
whereas on the day of her flight from Greenharbour, and on two other
such times, deadly fear, as is aforesaid, was mingled with her joyance,
and would have drowned it utterly, but for the wilfulness which hardened
her heart against the punishment to come. But now she was indeed free,
and it seemed to her, as to Christopher when he was but new healed of
his hurt, as if all this bright beauty of tree and flower, and beast and
bird, was but made for her alone, and she wondered that her fellow could
be so calm and sedate amidst of all this pleasure. And now, fo