th fashion,
yet he deemed when he looked on them that they would scarce have the
souls of men in their bodies, but that they were utterly vile through
and through, like the shapes of an evil dream. Therefore he thought
shame of it to show the Queen's letter to them, even as if he had shown
them the very naked body of her, who had been so piteous kind to him.
Also he had no mind to wear his heart on his sleeve, but would keep his
own counsel, and let his foemen speak and show what was in their minds.
For this cause he now made himself sweet, and was of good cheer with
old David, deeming him to be a great man there; as indeed he was, being
the chief counsellor of the Lord of Utterbol; though forsooth not so
much his counsellor as that he durst counsel otherwise than as the Lord
desired to go; unless he thought that it would bring his said Lord, and
therefore himself, to very present peril and damage. In short, though
this man had not been bought for money, he was little better than a
thrall of the higher sort, as forsooth were all the Lord's men, saving
the best and trustiest of his warriors: and these were men whom the
Lord somewhat feared himself: though, on the other hand, he could not
but know that they understood how the dread of the Lord of Utterbol was
a shield to them, and that if it were to die out amongst men, their own
skins were not worth many days' purchase.

So then David spake pleasantly with Ralph, and ate and drank with him,
and saw that he was well bedded for the night, and left him in the
first watch. But Ralph lay down in little more trouble than the night
before, when, though he were being led friendly to Utterness, yet he
had not been able to think what he should do when he came there:
whereas now he thought: Who knoweth what shall betide? and for me there
is nought to do save to lay hold of the occasion that another may give
me. And at the worst I scarce deem that I am being led to the
slaughter.

CHAPTER 33

Ralph is Brought on the Road Towards Utterbol

But now when it was morning they struck the tents and laded them on
wains, and went their ways the selfsame road that Ralph had been minded
for yesterday; to wit the road to Utterness; but now must he ride it
unarmed and guarded: other shame had he none. Indeed David, who stuck
close to his side all day, was so sugary sweet with him, and praised
and encouraged him so diligently, that Ralph began to have misgivings
that all this kin