oking into a chamber through an open window. But he said: "Fear not
but I will look to it; I am thy friend, and not thy schoolmaster."

Therewith he departed from Ralph, and within three days he had brought
him to speech of all those who were like to know anything of the
matter; and one and all they said that they had seen no such woman, and
that as for the Lord of Utterbol, he had not been in Goldburg these
three months. But one of the merchants said: "Master Clement, if this
young knight is boun for Utterbol, he beareth his life in his hand, as
thou knowest full well. Now I rede thee bring him to our Queen, who is
good and compassionate, and if she may not help him otherwise, yet
belike she may give him in writing to show to that tyrant, which may
stand him in stead: for it does not do for any man to go against the
will of our Lady and Queen; who will surely pay him back for his
ill-will some day or other." Said Clement: "It is well thought of, and
I will surely do as thou biddest."

So wore four days, and, that time during, Ralph was going to and fro
asking questions of folk that he came across, as people new come to the
city and hunters from the mountain-feet and the forests of the plain,
and mariners and such like, concerning the damsel and the Lord of
Utterbol; and Bull also went about seeking tidings: but whereas Ralph
asked downright what he wanted to know, Bull was wary, and rather led
men on to talk with him concerning those things than asked them of them
in such wise that they saw the question. Albeit it was all one, and no
tidings came to them; indeed, the name of the Lord of Utterbol (whom
forsooth Bull named not) seemed to freeze the speech of men's tongues,
and they commonly went away at once when it was spoken.

On the fifth day came Clement to Ralph and said: "Now will I bring thee
to the Queen, and she is young, and so fair, and withal so wise, that
it seems to me not all so sure but that the sight of her will make an
end of thy quest once for all. So that meseems thou mayest abide here
in a life far better than wandering amongst uncouth folk, perilous and
cruel. Yea, so thou mayst have it if thou wilt, being so exceeding
goodly, and wise, and well-spoken, and of high lineage."

Ralph heard and reddened, but gave him back no answer; and they went
together to the High House of the Queen, which was like a piece of the
Kingdom of Heaven for loveliness, so many pillars as there were of
bright m