k what they would. Whiles also they
waded the shallows of the flood, and whiles poled a raft about it, and
so had pleasure of the waters as before they had had of the snow. But
when at last the very spring was come, and the grass began to grow
after the showers had washed the plain of the waterborne mud, and the
snowdrop had thrust up and blossomed, and the celandine had come, and
then when the blackthorn bloomed and the Lent-lilies hid the grass
betwixt the great chestnut-boles, when the sun shone betwixt the
showers and the west wind blew, and the throstles and blackbirds ceased
not their song betwixt dawn and dusk, then began Ralph to say to
himself, that even if the Well at the World's End were not, and all
that the Sage had told them was but a tale of Swevenham, yet were all
better than well if Ursula were but to him a woman beloved rather than
a friend. And whiles he was pensive and silent, even when she was by
him, and she noted it and forbore somewhat the sweetness of her
glances, and the caressing of her soft speech: though oft when he
looked on her fondly, the blood would rise to her cheeks, and her bosom
would heave with the thought of his desire, which quickened hers so
sorely, that it became a pain and grief to her.

CHAPTER 13

Of Ursula and the Bear

It befell on a fair sunny morning of spring, that Ralph sat alone on
the toft by the rock-house, for Ursula had gone down the meadow to
disport her and to bathe in the river. Ralph was fitting the blade of
a dagger to a long ashen shaft, to make him a strong spear; for with
the waxing spring the bears were often in the meadows again; and the
day before they had come across a family of the beasts in the sandy
bight under the mountains; to wit a carle, and a quean with her cubs;
the beasts had seen them but afar off, and whereas the men were two and
the sun shone back from their weapons, they had forborne them; although
they were fierce and proud in those wastes, and could not away with
creatures that were not of their kind. So because of this Ralph had
bidden Ursula not to fare abroad without her sword, which was sharp and
strong, and she no weakling withal. He bethought him of this just as
he had made an end of his spear-shaping, so therewith he looked aside
and saw the said sword hanging to a bough of a little quicken-tree,
which grew hard by the door. Fear came into his heart therewith, so he
arose and strode down over the meadow hastily be