n they rested by a thicket-side,
where the strawberries grew plenty; they ate thereof what they would: and
from a great oak hard by Walter shot him first one culver, and then
another, and hung them to his girdle to be for their evening's meal;
sithence they went forward again, and nought befell them to tell of, till
they were come, whenas it lacked scarce an hour of sunset, to the banks
of another river, not right great, but bigger than the last one. There
the Maid cast herself down and said: "Friend, no further will thy friend
go this even; nay, to say sooth, she cannot. So now we will eat of thy
venison, and then shall my tale be, since I may no longer delay it; and
thereafter shall our slumber be sweet and safe as I deem."

She spake merrily now, and as one who feared nothing, and Walter was much
heartened by her words and her voice, and he fell to and made a fire, and
a woodland oven in the earth, and sithence dighted his fowl, and baked
them after the manner of wood-men. And they ate, both of them, in all
love, and in good-liking of life, and were much strengthened by their
supper. And when they were done, Walter eked his fire, both against the
chill of the midnight and dawning, and for a guard against wild beasts,
and by that time night was come, and the moon arisen. Then the Maiden
drew up to the fire, and turned to Walter and spake.

CHAPTER XXIV: THE MAID TELLS OF WHAT HAD BEFALLEN HER

"Now, friend, by the clear of the moon and this firelight will I tell
what I may and can of my tale. Thus it is: If I be wholly of the race of
Adam I wot not nor can I tell thee how many years old I may be. For
there are, as it were, shards or gaps in my life, wherein are but a few
things dimly remembered, and doubtless many things forgotten. I remember
well when I was a little child, and right happy, and there were people
about me whom I loved, and who loved me. It was not in this land; but
all things were lovely there; the year's beginning, the happy mid-year,
the year's waning, the year's ending, and then again its beginning. That
passed away, and then for a while is more than dimness, for nought I
remember save that I was. Thereafter I remember again, and am a young
maiden, and I know some things, and long to know more. I am nowise
happy; I am amongst people who bid me go, and I go; and do this, and I do
it: none loveth me, none tormenteth me; but I wear my heart in longing
for I scarce know what. Neith