r alive; but if I find her dead, or have sure witness that
so she is, that moment shall I turn my face and come back to you, to
live and die with you as I may. There is the third thing left, to wit,
that I may wander about the world and find her not till I am exceeding
old; but even then shall I come back with her, or the memory of her.
Now I will not say Remember me, for therein I trust thee, but I will
bid thee live hale and merry, that when I see thee again thy face may
be as little changed as may be."

Therewith they parted, and Osberne looked not back again.

Chapter XXXIX. Osberne Gets Him a New Master

On the second day thereafter he rode through the gate of Eastcheaping,
and so up the street to the Castle; and many of the townsmen knew him,
and cried out good welcome unto him, but he stayed not for any, but
came his ways to the Castle, and lighted down in the forecourt and
asked for Sir Medard. Here also was he well known, and men were joyful
of his coming, and asked him many things of his doings and his
welfare; but he answered as shortly as he might and still asked for
Sir Medard; and they said that he might see him straightway, for that
he was sitting in the solar, and albeit he had a guest with him, they
doubted not but that the good knight would be fain of seeing his
fellow-in-arms.

So they led him in, and Sir Medard arose at once and greeted Osberne
with great joy, and embraced and kissed him. Then he turned to the
other man who was in the solar with him, and said: "Lo thou, Sir
Godrick, here is a champion whom thou wilt be glad to talk to,
meseemeth, when we have drunk a cup." Therewith he called for wine and
spices, for it was the time of the morning bever. Sir Godrick hailed
Osberne, who looked on him and saw that he was a tall man, long-armed
and very strong-looking, a man swart of visage, long-nosed and
long-chinned, with light grey eyes; but though he was somewhat sober
of aspect, there was nought evil-looking in his face. He looked
downright and hard at Osberne, and said: "If Sir Medard speaketh not
by way of jest, thou hast begun early, young man, and I wish thee joy
thereof." Osberne reddened and held his peace, but Medard said: "There
be of our foemen no few, who ever if they jested at the lad have done
with it now forever." Osberne reddened yet more if it might be, but
the long man took him by the hand and spake kindly to him, and said:
"Be not troubled at a light word of mine; at the f