ry that I asked
thee, and will ask thee no more thereof." She smiled on him friendly,
and they spake of other matters as they rode on.

But after a while Ralph said: "If it were no misease to thee to tell
me how thou didst fall into the hands of the men of Utterbol, I were
fain to hear the tale."

She laughed outright, and said: "Why wilt thou be forever harping on
the time of my captivity, friend? And thou who knowest the story
somewhat already? Howbeit, I may tell thee thereof without
heart-burning, though it be a felon tale."

He said, somewhat shame-facedly: "Take it not ill that I am fain to
hear of thee and thy life-days, since we are become fellow-farers."

"Well," she said, "this befell outside Utterbol, so I will tell thee.

"After I had stood in the thrall-market at Cheaping Knowe, and not been
sold, the wild man led me away toward the mountains that are above
Goldburg; and as we drew near to them on a day, he said to me that he
was glad to the heart-root that none had cheapened me at the said
market; and when I asked him wherefore, he fell a weeping as he rode
beside me, and said: 'Yet would God that I had never taken thee.' I
asked what ailed him, though indeed I deemed that I knew. He said:
'This aileth me, that though thou art not of the blood wherein I am
bound to wed, I love thee sorely, and would have thee to wife; and now
I deem that thou wilt not love me again.' I said that he guessed
aright, but that if he would do friendly with me, I would be no less
than a friend to him. 'That availeth little,' quoth he; 'I would have
thee be mine of thine own will.' I said that might not be, that I could
love but one man alone. 'Is he alive?' said he. 'Goodsooth, I hope
so,' said I, 'but if he be dead, then is desire of men dead within me.'

"So we spake, and he was downcast and heavy of mood; but thenceforward
was he no worse to me than a brother. And he proffered it to lead me
back, if I would, and put me safely on the way to Whitwall; but, as
thou wottest, I had need to go forward, and no need to go back.

"Thus we entered into the mountains of Goldburg; but one morning, when
he arose, he was heavier of mood than his wont, and was restless
withal, and could be steadfast neither in staying nor going, nor aught
else. So I asked what ailed him, and he said: 'My end draweth nigh; I
have seen my fetch, and am fey. My grave abideth me in these
mountains.' 'Thou hast been dreaming ugly dreams,' sa