e, and the new men had dined along with the
rest of the host, and of the new-comers tale had been taken, the day was
wearing; so they set off for Woodwall, and on the way they met the Mayor
and Aldermen thereof, who came before King Christopher and knelt to him,
and gave him the keys of their town; so he was gracious to them, and
thanked them, and bade see to the victual and lodging of the host, and
that all should be paid thereafter. And they said that they had seen to
all this before they came forth of the town, and that if the Lord King
would ride forth, he would find fair lodging in the good town. So King
Christopher was pleased, and bade the burgesses ride beside him, and he
talked merrily with them on the way, so that their hearts rejoiced over
the kindness of their lord.

So they came to the gate, and there the King made stay till Goldilind
was fetched to him, so that they might ride into the good town side
by side. And in the street was much people thronging, and the sun was
scarce set, so that the folk could see their King and Queen what they
were; and they who were nighest unto them, they let their shouts die
out, so were their hearts touched with the sight of them and the love of
their beauty.

Thus rode they in triumph through the street till they were come to
their lodging, which was great and goodly as for a cheaping town; and so
the day was gone and the night was come, and the council and the banquet
were over; then were the King and Goldilind together again, like any
up-country lad and lass. But she stood before him and said: "O thou King
and mighty warrior, surely I ought to fear thee now, but it is not so,
so sore as I desire thee; but yet it maketh both laughter and tears come
to me when I think of the day we rode away from Greenharbour with thee,
and I seemed to myself a great lady, though I were unhappy; and though
I loved thy body, I feared lest the churl's blood in thee might shame me
perchance, and I was proud and unkind to thee, and I hurt thee sorely;
and now I will say it, and confess, that somewhat I joyed to see thine
anguish, for I knew that it meant thy love for me and thy desire to me.
Lo now, wilt thou forgive me this, or wilt thou punish me, O Lord King?"

He laughed. "Sweetling," he said, "meseemeth now all day long I have
been fighting against raiment rather than men; no man withstood me in
the battle, for that they feared the crown on my helm and the banner
over my head; and when t