in the market, for then I will ride my ways to
the Dry Tree, and thou shalt slay the poor youth, or make of him thy
sworn friend, like as was Walter--which thou wilt."

So she spake, and Ralph yet lay on the grass and heard nought. But the
Knight's face was dark and swollen with anger as he answered: "My sworn
friend! yea, I understand thy gibe. I need not thy words to bring to
my mind how I have slain one sworn friend for thy sake."

"Nay," she said, "not for my sake, for thine own folly's sake." He
heeded her not, but went on: "And as for this one, I say again of him,
if he be not thy devil, then thou meanest him for thy lover. And now I
deem that I will verily slay him, ere he wake again; belike it were his
better luck."

She said: "I wot not why thou hagglest over the price of that thou
wouldest have. If thou have him along with thee, shall he not be in
thy power--as I shall be? and thou mayst slay him--or me--when thou
wilt."

"Yea," he said, grimly, "when thou art weary of him. O art thou not
shameless amongst women! Yet must I needs pay thy price, though my
honour and the welfare of my life go with it. Yet how if he have no
will to fare with us?" She laughed and said: "Then shalt thou have him
with thee as thy captive and thrall. Hast thou not conquered him in
battle?" He stood silent a moment and then he said: "Thou sayest it;
he shall come with me, will he, nill he, unarmed, and as a prisoner,
and the spoil of my valiancy." And he laughed, not altogether in
bitterness, but as if some joy were rising in his heart. "Now, my
Queen," said he, "the bargain is struck betwixt us, and thou mayest
light down off Silverfax; as for me, I will go fetch water from the
lake, that we may wake up this valiant and mighty youth, this newfound
jewel, and bring him to his wits again."

She answered nought, but rode her horse close to him and lighted down
nimbly, while his greedy eyes devoured her beauty. Then he took her
hand and drew her to him, and kissed her cheek, and she suffered it,
but kissed him not again. Then he took off his helm, and went down to
the lake to fetch up water therein.

CHAPTER 23

The Leechcraft of the Lady

Meanwhile she went to Ralph and stood by him, who now began to stir
again; and she knelt down by him and kissed his face gently, and rose
up hastily and stood a little aloof again.

Now Ralph sat up and looked about him, and when he saw the Lady he
first blushed red,