nges, then must we seek other rede." So the talk between
them dropped for that time.

Here then began new days for the Maiden, nor is it to be said that
there was aught evil in them, save the abiding on hope deferred; for
there was none in the house that looked not kindly on this lovely one,
save it were the Lady, the mother of Sir Mark. But then, to say sooth,
she looked not kindly on any, scarce even on her son, though in her
heart she loved him strongly. And no wrong she did to the Maiden, or
put any tasks upon her, nor said nor did aught covertly to make her
heart bleed, as belike she might have done had she willed it. The two
young squires, Roland and James, did all they might to be with her and
have speech of her, and she suffered them frankly, seeing no harm
therein. For to her they were but bright and fair youths whose lives
had nought to do with hers, but who should find friends and loves and
deeds with other folk whom she had never heard of, and in lands far
away from the grey Dale where she was born and bred.

As to Sir Mark, it was somewhat different, for such thanks she owed
him for her deliverance and for his kindness that never wore thin, and
for the faithful love that looked for no reward, nay not even for pity
of the love, for ever he bore him frank and merry, and had such kind
good-will to all folk worthy who were about him, that none had deemed
of him but that was heart-whole, and bore about no pain that fretted
his life. So much she owed him, I say, yea and was glad to owe him,
and so fain she was to hear and see this friend, that scarce might she
think of her life on the earth and he not a part of it in some way.

So wore the spring and summer, and all seemed at peace about
Brookside: and many merry days did the Maiden and the Carline share
in, as riding in the meadows and woods with hawk and hound, and feasts
in the fair land further aloof; and the Midsummer and Michaelmas
markets, which were held in the meadow betwixt the Castle and the
township of Brookside; and a riding more than two or three to the
cheaping-town of that country-side, which was some five leagues
distant and was a good and plenteous town. Withal a many folk came
a-guesting to the Castle, knowing it to be a guest-kind house, as
pilgrims and chapmen, and knights and men-at-arms riding hither and
thither on their errands, so that it was no unlikely place to hear
tidings of the countries and kingdoms.

Chapter LIX. Tidings of