p and full. Forsooth, he
would make a poor bargain in buying any kingship that I wot of, so rich
he is, yea, and mighty withal."

Said Ralph: "And how went the war with Walter the Black?"

Even as he spake his face changed, for he bethought him over closely of
the past days, and his dream of the Lady of Abundance and of Dorothea,
who rode by him now as Ursula. But Richard spake: "Short is the tale
to tell. I slew him in shock of battle, and his men craved peace of
the good town. Many were glad of his death, and few sorrowed for it;
for, fair as his young body was, he was a cruel tyrant."

Therewith were they come to the hostel of the Lamb which was the very
same house wherein Ralph had abided aforetime; and as he entered it, it
is not to be said but that inwardly his heart bled for the old sorrow.
Ursula looked on him lovingly and blithely; and when they were within
doors Richard turned to the Sage and said: "Hail to thee, reverend
man! wert thou forty years older to behold, outworn and forgotten of
death, I should have said that thou wert like to the Sage that dwelt
alone amidst the mountains nigh to Swevenham when I was a little lad,
and fearsome was the sight of thee unto me."

The Sage laughed and said: "Yea, somewhat like am I yet to myself of
forty years ago. Good is thy memory, greybeard."

Then Richard shook his head, and spake under his breath: "Yea, then it
was no dream or coloured cloud, and he hath drank of the waters, and so
then hath my dear lord." Then he looked up bright-faced, and called on
the serving-men, and bade one lead them into a fair chamber, and
another go forth and provide a banquet to be brought in thither. So
they went up into a goodly chamber high aloft; and Ursula went forth
from it awhile, and came back presently clad in very fair woman's
raiment, which Ralph had bought for her at Goldburg. Richard looked on
her and nothing else for a while; then he walked about the chamber
uneasily, now speaking with the Sage, now with Ursula, but never with
Ralph. At last he spake to Ursula, and said: "Grant me a grace, lady,
and be not wroth if I take thy man into the window yonder that I may
talk with him privily while ye hold converse together, thou and the
Sage of Swevenham."

She laughed merrily and said: "Sir nurse, take thy bantling and cosset
him in whatso corner thou wilt, and I will turn away mine eyes from thy
caresses."

So Richard took Ralph into a window, and sat dow