to do, thou shalt sit where
great men shall kneel to thee; not as I kneel now for love, and that I
may kiss thy knees and thy feet, but because they needs must worship
thee.'

"Therewith he arose to his feet and leapt on his horse, and rode his
ways speedily: and I went upon my way with my goats, and came down
into the Dale of Lore, and found the old woman abiding me; and she came
to me, and took me by the hands, and touched the collar (for I had done
it about my neck), and said:

"'Dear child, thou needest not to tell me thy tale, for I have seen
him. But if thou must needs wear this necklace, I must give thee a
gift to go with it. But first sit down by the old carline awhile and
talk with her; for meseemeth it will be but a few days ere thou shalt
depart from this uttermost wilderness, and the woods before the
mountains.'

"So I sat down by her, and in spite of her word I told her all that had
befallen betwixt me and the king's son: for my heart was too full that
I might refrain me. She nodded her head from time to time, but said
naught, till I had made an end: and then fell to telling me of many
matters for my avail; but yet arose earlier than her wont was; and when
we were about sundering on the path which I had trodden above the Dale,
she said: 'Now must I give thee that gift to go along with the gift of
the lover, the King's son; and I think thou wilt find it of avail
before many days are gone by.' Therewith she took from her pouch a
strong sharp knife, and drew it from the sheath, and flashed it in the
afternoon sun, and gave it to me; and I took it and laid it in my bosom
and thanked her; for I thought that I understood her meaning, and how
it would avail me. Then I went driving my goats home speedily, so that
the sun was barely set when I came to the garth; and a great horror
rather than a fear of my mistress was on me; and lo! she stood in the
door of the house gazing down the garth and the woodland beyond, as
though she were looking for my coming: and when her eyes lighted on me,
she scowled, and drew her lips back from her teeth and clenched her
hands with fury, though there was nought in them; and she was a tall
and strong woman, though now growing somewhat old: but as for me, I had
unsheathed the carline's gift before I came to the garth, and now I
held it behind my back in my left hand.

"I had stayed my feet some six paces from the threshold, and my heart
beat quick, but the sick fear and co