t is our Lady of Meadham, who dwelleth at
Greenharbour by her own will. And if thou wilt stand aside thou mayst go
free to the devil for us."

Now would Christopher have shouted and fallen on, and gone to his death
there and then; but even therewith a voice, clear and sweet, spake at
the back of him, and said: "Thou kind host, do thou stand aside and let
us speak that which is needful." And therewith stepped forth Goldilind
and stood beside Christopher, and said: "Sir Burgreve, we rode forth to
drink the air yesterday, and went astray amidst the wild-wood, and were
belated, so that we must needs lie down under the bare heaven; but this
morning we happened on this kind forester, who gave us to eat, and took
us to his house and gave us meat and drink; for which it were seemlier
to reward him than threaten him. Now it is our pleasure that ye lead us
back to Greenharbour; but as for this youth, that ye do him no hurt, but
let him go free, according to thy word spoken e'en now, Sir Burgreve."

She spake slowly and heavily, as one who hath a lesson to say, and it
was to be seen of her that all grief was in her heart, though her words
were queenly. Some of them that heard laughed; but the Burgreve spake,
and said: "Lady, we will do thy will in part, for we will lead thee to
Greenharbour in all honour; but as to this young man, if he will not be
slain here and now, needs must he with us. For he hath slain two of our
men outright, and hath hurt many, and, methinks, the devil of the woods
is in his body. So do thou bid him be quiet, if thou wouldst not see his
blood flow."

She turned a pale unhappy face on Christopher, and said: "My friend,
we bid thee withstand them no more, but let them do with thee as they
will."

Christopher stood aside therewith, and sat down on a bench and laughed,
and said in a high voice: "Stout men-at-arms, forsooth, to take a maid's
kirtle to their shield."

But therewith the armed men poured into the hall, and a half dozen of
the stoutest came up unto Christopher where he sat, and bound his hands
with their girdles, and he withstood them no whit, but sat laughing in
their faces, and made as if it were all a Yule-tide game. But inwardly
his heart burned with anger, and with love of that sweet Lady.

Then they made him stand up, and led him without the house, and set him
on a horse, and linked his feet together under the belly thereof. And
when that was done he saw them lead out the Lady, and they