g joyously, and in an hour's time she
went her ways and left him alone there.

Ralph said to himself, when he saw her depart, that he would have the
more joy in the castle of his Lady if he were alone, and would wear
away the day in better patience therefor. But in sooth the hours of
that day were worse to wear than any day there had yet been. He went
not without the house at all that day, for he deemed that the folk
abroad would note of him that he was so changed and restless.

Whiles he read in that book, or turned the leaves over, not reading it;
whiles he went into the Chamber of Estate, and pored over the woven
pictures there wherein the Lady was figured. Whiles he wandered from
chamber to chamber, not knowing what to do.

At last, a little after dark, back comes the carline again, and he met
her at the door of the hall, for he was weary of his own company, and
the ceaseless turning over and over of the same thoughts.

As for her, she was so joyous of him that she fairly threw her arms
about him and kissed and clipped him, as though she had been his very
mother. Whereof he had some shame, but not much, for he deemed that
her goodwill to him was abundant, which indeed it was.

Now she looks on him and says: "Truly it does my heart good to see
thee: but thou poor boy, thou art wearing thyself with thy longing, and
thy doubting, and if thou wilt do after my rede, thou wilt certainly go
into the wood to-morrow and see what may befall; and indeed and in
sooth thou wilt leave behind thee a trusty friend."

He looked on her kindly, and smiled, and said, "In sooth, mother, I
deem thou art but right; though it be hard for me to leave this house,
to which in a way my Lady hath bidden me. Yet I will do thy bidding
herein." She thanked him, and he went to his bed and slept; for now
that he had made up his mind to go, he was somewhat more at rest.

CHAPTER 22

An Adventure in the Wood

Ralph arrayed himself for departure next morning without more words;
and when he was ready the carline said to him: "When thou wentest
forth before, I was troubled at thy going and feared for thy returning:
but now I fear not; for I know that thou wilt return; though it may be
leading a fair woman by the hand. So go, and all luck go with thee."
Ralph smiled at her words and went his ways, and came into the wood
that lay due south from the Castle, and he went on and on and had no
thought of turning back. He rested twice a