as it may be? One
man journeying with little wealth, and unknown, and he no weakling, but
bearing good weapons, hath nought to dread of strong-thieves, who ever
rob where it is easiest and gainfullest. And what worse may I meet
than strong-thieves?"

"But thou mayest meet worse," she said; and therewith fell a-weeping
again, and said amidst her tears: "O weary on my life! And why should
I heed thee when nought heedeth me, neither the Saints of God's House,
nor the Master of it; nor the father and the mother that were once so
piteous kind to me? O if I might but drink a draught from the WELL AT
THE WORLD'S END!"

He turned about on her hastily at that word; for he had risen to
depart; being grieved at her grief and wishful to be away from it,
since he might not amend it. But now he said eagerly:

"Where then is that Well? Know ye of it in this land?"

"At least I know the hearsay thereof," she said; "but as now thou shalt
know no more from me thereof; lest thou wander the wider in seeking it.
I would not have thy life spilt."

Ever as he looked on her he thought her still fairer; and now he looked
long on her, saying nought, and she on him in likewise, and the blood
rose to her cheeks and her brow, but she would not turn her from his
gaze. At last he said: "Well then, I must depart, no more learned than
I came: but yet am I less hungry and thirsty than I came; and have thou
thanks therefor."

Therewith he took from his pouch a gold piece of Upmeads, which was
good, and of the touch of the Easterlings, and held it out to her. And
she put out her open hand and he put the money in it; but thought it
good to hold her hand a while, and she gainsayed him not.

Then he said: "Well then, I must needs depart with things left as they
are: wilt thou bid thy brother bring hither my horse, for time presses."

"Yea," she said (and her hand was still in his), "Yet do thine utmost,
yet shalt thou not get to the Burg before nightfall. O wilt thou not
tarry?"

"Nay," he said, "my heart will not suffer it; lest I deem myself a
dastard."

Then she reddened again, but as if she were wroth; and she drew her
hand away from his and smote her palms together thrice and cried out:
"Ho Hugh! bring hither the Knight's horse and be speedy!"

And she went hither and thither about the hall and into the buttery and
back, putting away the victual and vessels from the board and making as
if she heeded him not: and Ralph looked o