able, unferryable. And few might think that it was
anywise like to betide that ever their two bodies should touch each
the other; but the Carline, who was somewhat wise in lore, had an
inkling that, despite this terrible hedge of water, the twain should
one day meet.

Now it is to be said that oftenest the Maiden was patient, and abode
the sundering will no ill cheer. But whiles her trouble was over heavy
for her, and she would wander forth into the wood or the field, and go
weeping and lamenting there; or she would sit in the chamber with the
Carline, and cry out aloud on her love to come to her, and on all
things on the earth and in the heavens, yea, the Great God himself
sitting amongst the Cherubim, to help her, that for once, if once only
before she died, she might feel her love's arms about her and his face
laid to hers.

Or again, she would, as it were, tell stories of how it would betide
that at last they should meet, both grown old, and kiss once, and so
walk hand in hand into the Paradise of the Blessed, there to grow
young again amidst the undying spring, in the land where weariness is
come to nought; and there would she sit and weep, as if there were no
ending to the well of her tears.

At such times was the Carline sore grieved for her, and would strive
to comfort her by giving her some little inkling of the hope which
she, the old woman, had conceived in her heart, that the meeting of
the those two should come about whiles they were yet young and lovely;
more than that she might not tell the Maiden, lest the might should
ebb from her. Thus wore the days between patience and despair, betwixt
cheer and lamentation.

At last, when the Maiden was of some eighteen summers, great matters
befel that country-side; for on a day came the alien reivers, such as
are called the Red Skinners, with intent to rob and carry off all that
was not too hot or too heavy for them, and to lay waste and destroy
all that they might not bear away. But the folk of the land met them
valiantly, and their friends on the other side of the fierce river
aforesaid helped them what they might with the shot-battle; and great
and grim was the murder, and the stour of the hardest.

Now there were the Maiden and the Carline at their house, and nought
easy was the rede for them. The Maiden bade flee to the next stead,
which was some four miles thence, but the Carline bade abide, lest
they be caught upon the way, which forsooth she deemed wa