n Sir Mark raised his hand and pointed to
it, and said to the Maiden: "Lady, yonder is Brookside, my poor house,
where I would have thee dwell so long as it pleases thee." Therewith
he drew forth his horn and said: "We will sing a little to them, for
it will be in their minds to ride out some of them to meet us, and I
would not balk their good will." Therewith he set his horn to his
mouth and blew a long and loud blast, wherein were strange changes
and quirks, so that it might be known for his music; and then they
rode on slowly, and presently a banner of the blue and white waves
came out from a high tower, and therewithal from out the Castle-gate
came forth a score of folk a-horseback and rode swiftly down to the
bridge.

Then Sir Mark said: "Now light we down and meet the rest on this
pleasant greensward, for they will like it better to come on us thus,
so that they may have the better and the nigher sight of us; and
though there be little shade of trees here, yet this cool hour before
the twilight all green places be pleasant this fair day."

Even as he bade so did they, and it was a night to the bridge, so that
it was but a few minutes ere that folk were riding over toward them,
and the Maiden could see at once of them that they were merry-faced
and gay-clad. The two that rode first were young men, and one slim and
very goodly, with the hair of his head plenteous and waving and brown,
and little hair upon his pleasant, happy young face. He threw himself
off his horse at once and ran straight up to the Blue Knight, and made
obeisance to him, and took his hand and kissed it; but the Knight laid
his hands on to his shoulders and shook him and rolled him about,
looking kindly in his face the while, and then he cried out: "Ha,
Roland! by St. Christopher but thou art glad to see me, lad! Is all
well up there?"

"All is well, Sir Mark," said the youngling, "and I am like to be glad
to see thee back safe and sound, when who knows what folly thou wilt
have been mixed up with, so that thou mayst well be brought home any
day between the four corners: and all is well up yonder."

"Hark to the prudence of the sage and the grey-beard," said Sir Mark,
laughing. "Yet I must tell thee, and all of you, that I have had an
adventure. But here is James and his greeting." Now this was the other
young man, who got off his horse in less haste and came up slower to
his lord, and as he went cast an eye on the Maiden, who had risen up
to