im after the first man had stood before him, a squire, well
learned in war, and long and tough, and deemed a very stark man; him
Christopher threw over his shoulder as though he had been a child of
twelve years. So wore the day at Greenharbour in merrier wise for all
good folk than for many a day had been the wont there.

CHAPTER XX. OF THE WEDDING OF CHRISTOPHER AND GOLDILIND.

Early on the morrow came the Earl unto Goldilind, and she received him
gladly, as one who had fashioned life anew for her. And when he had sat
down by her, he spake and said: "Lady, thou cravedst of me yesterday two
things; the first was freedom from the captivity of Greenharbour; and
the second, life and liberty for the varlet that cherished thee in the
wild-wood the other day. Now thy first asking grieved me, for that thou
hast been tyrannously done by; and thy second I wondered at; but since
I have seen the young man, I wonder the less; for he is both so goodly,
and so mighty of body, and of speech bold and free, yet gentle and of
all courtesy, that he is meet to be knight or earl, yea, or very king.
Now, therefore, in both these matters I will well to do thy pleasure,
and in one way it may be; and thou mayst then go forth from Greenharbour
as free as a bird, and thy varlet's life may be given unto him, and
mickle honour therewith. Art thou, then, willing to do after my rede and
my commandment, so that both these good things may betide thee?"

"Right willing am I," she said, "to be free and happy and to save the
life of a fair youth and kind."

"Then," said he, "there is one thing for thee to do: that this day
thou wed this fair and kind youth, and let him lead thee forth from
Greenharbour; and, belike, he will bring thee to no ill stead; for his
friends are mightier than mayhappen thou deemest."

She turned as red as blood at his word; she knit her brows, and her eyes
flashed as she answered: "Is it seemly for a King's daughter to wed a
nameless churl? And now I know thee, Lord Earl, what thou wouldst do;
thou wouldst be King of Meadham and put thy master's daughter to the
road." And she was exceeding wroth.

But he said, smiling somewhat: "Was it then seemly for the King's
daughter to kneel for this man's life, and go near to swooning for joy
when it was granted to her?"

"Yea," she said, "for I love him with all my body and soul; and I
would have had him love me par amours, and then should I have been his
mistress and he my