e, I have sworn it that I will not go one step back till I
have seen my father and mother in their house of Upmeads. Is it well
said, Clement?" "Yea, forsooth," said Clement; but he could not take
his eyes off Ursula's loveliness, as she kilted her skirts and ran her
ways like one of Diana's ladies in the wildwood. At last he said,
"Thou shalt wot, fair sir, that ye will have a little band to go with
thee from us of Wulstead; forsooth we had gone to-morrow morn in any
case, but since thou art here, all is well." Even as he spake a great
shout broke out from the company as Ursula had given her message, and
then came the tramp of men and horses and the clash of weapons as they
set forward; and Clement looked and beheld how first of all the array
came Ursula, bearing the hallowed staff in her hand; for her heart also
was set on what was to come. Then cried out Clement: "Happy art thou,
lord, and happy shalt thou be, and who shall withstand thee? Lo! what
a war-duke it is! and what a leader that marches with fate in her hands
before thine host!"

Therewith were they all joined together, and Ursula gave the guisarme
into Ralph's hand, and with his other hand he took hers, and the bar of
the barrier was lifted and the gates thrown open, and they all streamed
into the street, the champions coming last and towering over the
footmen as they sat, big men on their big horses, as if they were very
bodyguards of the God of War.

CHAPTER 26

Ralph Sees His Father and Mother Again

Thus came they into the market-place of Wulstead nigh to Clement's
house, and there the company stood in ordered ranks. Ralph looked
round about half expecting to see his gossip standing in the door; but
Clement smiled and said: "Thou art looking round for thy gossip, fair
sir; but she is upon the north gate in war-gear; for we be too few in
Wulstead to spare so clean-limbed and strong-armed a dame from our
muster; but she shall be here against thou comest back from the Austin
Canons, wither forsooth thou mayst go at once if thou wilt let me be
master in the matter of lodging." Said Ralph, smiling: "Well, Ring of
Wulstead, since thou givest leave I will e'en take it, nor needest thou
give me any guide to the House of St. Austin, for I know it well.
Sweetheart," said he, turning to Ursula, "what sayest thou: wilt thou
come with me, or abide till to-morrow, when I shall show thee to my
kinsmen?" "Nay," she said, "I will with thee at once, my