he cave to fetch them matters for their victual, and there was
already venison roasting at the fire on the toft, in the place where
they were wont to cook their meat. So then came Ursula forth from the
cave, and served the new-comers and Ralph of such things as she had,
and they ate and drank together; and none said aught of their errand
till they had done their meat, but they talked together pleasantly
about the spring, and the blossoms of the plain and the mountain, and
the wild things that dwelt thereabout.

But when the meal was over, the new-comers rose to their feet, and
bowed before Ralph and Ursula, and the elder took up the word and said:
"Ye fair people, have ye any errand in the wilderness, or are ye
chance-comers who have strayed thus far, and know not how to return?"

"Father," said Ralph, "we have come a long way on an errand of life or
death; for we seek the WELL at the WORLD'S END. And see ye the token
thereof, the pair of beads which we bear, either of us, and the fashion
whereof ye know."

Then the elder bowed to them again, and said: "It is well; then is
this our errand with you, to be your way-leaders as far as the House of
the Sorceress, where ye shall have other help. Will ye set out on the
journey to-day? In one hour shall we be ready."

"Nay," said Ralph, "we will not depart till tomorrow morn, if it may be
so. Therewith I bid you sit down and rest you, while ye hearken a word
which I have to say to you."

So they sat down again, and Ralph arose and took Ursula by the hand,
and stood with her before the elder, and said: "This maiden, who is my
fellow-farer in the Quest, I desire to wed this same night, and she
also desireth me: therefore I would have you as witnesses hereto. But
first ye shall tell us if our wedding and the knowing each other
carnally shall be to our hurt in the Quest; for if that be so, then
shall we bridle our desires and perform our Quest in their despite."

The old man smiled upon them kindly, and said: "Nay, son, we hear not
that it shall be the worse for you in any wise that ye shall become one
flesh; and right joyful it is to us, not only that we have found folk
who seek to the Well at the World's End, but also that there is such
love as I perceive there is betwixt such goodly and holy folk as ye be.
For hither we come year by year according to the behest that we made to
the fairest woman of the world, when she came back to us from the Well
at the World's End,