his
brows as one in great wrath and grief; and he was slow to answer; but
at last he said "Yea," shortly and sharply.

Then said Morfinn: "And yet after all it might not be she: for there
might be another or two even in these parts of whom all this might be
said. But now I will tell thee of her raiment, though there may be but
little help to thee therein, as she may have shifted it many times
since thou hast seen her. Thus it was: she was clad outwardly in a
green gown, short of skirt as of one wont to go afoot; somewhat
straight in the sleeves as of one who hath household work to do, and
there was broidery many coloured on the seams thereof, and a border of
flower-work round the hem: and this I noted, that a cantle of the skirt
had been rent away by some hap of the journey. Now what sayest thou,
fair lord? Have I done well to bring thee this tale?"

"O yea, yea," said Ralph, and he might not contain himself; but set
spurs to his horse and galloped on ahead for some furlong or so: and
then drew rein and gat off his horse, and made as if he would see to
his saddle-girths, for he might not refrain from weeping the sweet and
bitter tears of desire and fear, so stirred the soul within him.

Morfinn rode on quietly, and by then he came up, Ralph was mounting
again, and when he was in the saddle he turned away his head from his
fellow and said in a husky voice: "Morfinn, I command thee, or if thou
wilt I beseech thee, that thou speak not to me again of this woman whom
I am seeking; for it moveth me over much." "That is well, lord," said
Morfinn, "I will do after thy command; and there be many other matters
to speak of besides one fair woman."

Then they rode on soberly a while, and Ralph kept silence, as he rode
pondering much; but the minstrel hummed snatches of rhyme as he rode
the way.

But at last Ralph turned to him suddenly and said: "Tell me,
way-leader, in what wise did they seem to be using that woman?" The
minstrel chuckled: "Fair lord," said he, "if I had a mind for mocking
I might say of thee that thou blowest both hot and cold, since it was
but half an hour ago that thou badest me speak naught of her: but I
deem that I know thy mind herein: so I will tell thee that they seemed
to be using her courteously; as is no marvel; for who would wish to mar
so fair an image? O, it will be well with her: I noted that the Lord
seemed to think it good to ride beside her, and eye her all over. Yea,
she shall