e valley could be ridden, so there was nought to drive them to
meet side by side in a strait road, wherefore they came not very nigh,
but yet nigh enough to know the newcomers for such as would be evil
way-fellows to any whom they feared not. As it was, the Blue Knight
and his drew rein and turned a little toward them as they went by, to
show that they feared them not, and Sir Mark rode forward before his
folk and abode them with a sword in fist. But the newcomers did nought
by set up a yelling and jeering, and rode on their way not over
slowly.

Three hours thereafter they saw, a little mile aloof, a fair white
house garnished with towers on a knoll, round about which ran a little
river; so the Maiden, who was now again riding close beside the Blue
Knight, asked him if that were Brookside, and he smiled and said:
"Nay, my house is still five days' ride away, but this house, which
hight Warding Knowe, is the house of a friend, and there shall we have
good guesting, whereof I rejoice for thy sake." Then he was silent a
while, and said thereafter: "Tell me, lady, doest thou wish those five
days over?"

"Nay," she said, "it is little matter to me where I am, and to say
sooth, this riding through the fair land likes me well."

He sighed and said, yet slowly: "Well, for my part I would that the
five days were fifty." "Why?" she said heedlessly. He reddened and
said: "I must needs tell thee since thou askest me. It is because I
have got used to seeing these men and thy Carline about thee; neither
does it irk me to see the folk that give us guesting gazing on thee or
speaking to thee. But when we come to Brookside it will be all other
than that; for there will be the folk all about, and some belike will
make friends with thee; and there will be my mother. And look you, all
and each of these folk shall have as much part and lot in thee as I
shall have. Now, art thou angry that I have said this."

"Nay," she said, and knew not what more to say. And she looked at him
covertly and saw grief and torment in him, and she was sorry for him.
But within herself she said, Woe's me! and how long it shall be belike
ere I meet my beloved!

Chapter LVII. They Come to Brookside

They were not long ere they were before the gate of Warding Knowe, and
the master thereof standing over against them, bidding them a free and
fair welcome. He was well on in years, more than grizzled, but a stout
and stark knight: he hight Sir Alwyn. He emb