was as much as I could do to
hold back from running and snatching him in my arms to soothe his
terror.

Howbeit, ere that I could commit this madness, the frighted babe set up
such a howl as only a man-child can utter, and my lady turned to him in
great haste, and my lord also did set about comforting him. Then they
walked slowly on, and my lord held the little lad on one side, and my
lady coaxed him o' th' other. Ever and anon my lord would look from the
babe to my lady, and then from my lady to the babe. And a smile just
lifted the corners o' his mouth, as sometimes a wind will just stir the
leaves ere shaking them as with jollity. I followed cautiously at some
distance, and by-and-by his lordship said, "How was it that thou didst
not know me, coz? Faith thou art shot up like a lily i' th' sun, but
lilies are aye lilies, and leaving thee a lily, I find thee a lily
still, though blooming on a taller stem."

And she answered him: "Yea, cousin, and oaks are aye oaks, though first
they be saplings, then trees. And in truth I knew thee by thy voice ere
I looked at thee; but 'twas all so sudden, that i' faith I was
frightened at thee."

And he said, "But thou art glad to see me?"

And being busy with the child, she answered him without lifting her
head, "Thou knowest that I am."

Then did he laugh a little, and saith, "How should I know, coz? Proof,
proof, I pray thee. Wilt thou not give me the kiss o' welcome after all
these years?"

Now he had not offered to kiss Mistress Marian. Therefore I waited right
curiously to see what my little lady would say unto his offer, and Jock
having dinned it into my ears ever since our wedding-day, that all women
were by nature eavesdroppers, I was of a mind to prove his theory for
him; so I not only listened with all my ears, but I looked with all my
eyes.

My lady waxed first ruddy, then like to milk, then ruddy again, and she
reached out her hand to him across the hound. "In truth I will, cousin,"
quoth she.

He did take the little hand in his, putting down his other hand softly
over it, as when one holds a frighted bird, and he looked at her as
though he would pierce her lids with his gaze, for her eyes were down,
and he saith, "Sweetheart, right gladly will I give this pretty hand
the kiss o' an eternal welcome; but methinks thou hast begged the
question. I pleaded to receive a kiss rather than to bestow one."

And her face was like a bended rose. Then did he step round q