ch;
but saw no more of the Black Riders for that time.

On a day thereafter when it was nigh evening, Ralph looked about, and
saw a certain wood on the edge of a plain, and he stayed Ursula, and
said: "Look round about, beloved; for this is the very field whereas I
was betrayed into the hands of the men of Utterbol." She smiled on him
and said: "Let me light down then, that I may kiss the earth of that
kind field, where thou wert not stayed over long, but even long enough
that we might meet in the dark wood thereafter."

"Sweetling," said Ralph, "this mayst thou do and grieve no man, not
even for a little. For lo you! the captain is staying the
sumpter-beasts, and it is his mind, belike, that we shall sleep in
yonder wood to-night." Therewith he lighted down and she in likewise:
then he took her by the hand and led her on a few yards, and said: "Lo,
beloved, this quicken-tree; hereby it was that the tent was pitched
wherein I lay the night when I was taken."

She looked on him shyly and said: "Wilt thou not sleep here once more
to-night?"

"Yea, well-beloved," said he, "I will bid them pitch thy tent on this
same place, that I may smell the wild thyme again, as I did that other
while."

So there on the field of his ancient grief they rested that night in
all love and content.

CHAPTER 8

Of Goldburg Again, and the Queen Thereof

Next day they went forth through the country wherethrough Morfinn had
led Ralph into captivity; and Redhead rode warily; for there were many
passes which looked doubtful: but whether the ill men feared to meddle
with them, or however it were, none waylaid them, and they all came
safely to the gate of Goldburg, the towers whereof were full of folk
looking forth on them. So they displayed their pennon, and rode into
the street, where folk pressed about them in friendly wise; for the new
Lord of Utterbol had made firm and fast peace with Goldburg. So they
rode to the hostel, and gat them victual, and rested in peace that
night. But Ralph wondered whether the Queen would send for him when
she heard of his coming back again, and he hoped that she would let him
be; for he was ashamed when he thought of her love for him, and how
that he had clean forgotten her till he was close to Goldburg again.

But when morning was come Ralph spake to Redhead and asked him how he
should do to wage men for the homeward journey on thence; and Redhead
said: "I have already seen the Clerk of th