of heather and ling, and they laid them down sweetly, like
brother and sister, when they had kissed each other. But they noted that
four brisk men lay without the booth, and across the door, with their
weapons beside them, so that they must needs look upon themselves as
captives.

Then Walter might not refrain him, but spake: "Sweet and dear friend, I
have come a long way from the quay at Langton, and the vision of the
Dwarf, the Maid, and the Lady; and for this kiss wherewith I have kissed
thee e'en now, and the kindness of thine eyes, it was worth the time and
the travail. But to-morrow, meseemeth, I shall go no further in this
world, though my journey be far longer than from Langton hither. And now
may God and All Hallows keep thee amongst this wild folk, whenas I shall
be gone from thee."

She laughed low and sweetly, and said: "Dear friend, dost thou speak to
me thus mournfully to move me to love thee better? Then is thy labour
lost; for no better may I love thee than now I do; and that is with mine
whole heart. But keep a good courage, I bid thee; for we be not sundered
yet, nor shall we be. Nor do I deem that we shall die here, or
to-morrow; but many years hence, after we have known all the sweetness of
life. Meanwhile, I bid thee good-night, fair friend!"

CHAPTER XXVII: MORNING AMONGST THE BEARS

So Walter laid him down and fell asleep, and knew no more till he awoke
in bright daylight with the Maid standing over him. She was fresh from
the water, for she had been to the river to bathe her, and the sun
through the open door fell streaming on her feet close to Walter's
pillow. He turned about and cast his arm about them, and caressed them,
while she stood smiling upon him; then he arose and looked on her, and
said: "How thou art fair and bright this morning! And yet . . . and yet
. . . were it not well that thou do off thee all this faded and drooping
bravery of leaves and blossoms, that maketh thee look like to a
jongleur's damsel on a morrow of May-day?"

And he gazed ruefully on her.

She laughed on him merrily, and said: "Yea, and belike these others think
no better of my attire, or not much better; for yonder they are gathering
small wood for the burnt-offering; which, forsooth, shall be thou and I,
unless I better it all by means of the wisdom I learned of the old woman,
and perfected betwixt the stripes of my Mistress, whom a little while ago
thou lovedst somewhat."

And as she s