Now the new-comer bowed before her smiling, and said: I ask thy
pardon, fair damsel (or indeed I should say fairest damsel), that I
have scared thee. But sooth to say I beheld thee coming riding, and
even from a little aloof I could see that nought which might befall
could ever make it up to me for not seeing thee close at hand and
hearing thee speak. Wherefore I hid myself behind the king's stone
here; and no harm is done thereby I trow; for now I see that the
colour is coming into thy cheeks again, and thy fear is gone. And as
for me, thou hast not fled away from me, as thou wouldst have done
had I not hidden and come on thee suddenly; and then thou being
horsed and I unhorsed, thou wouldst have escaped me, whereas now thou
art within reach of my hand. Then he smiled, and said: Furthermore,
thou hast told so little of thy secret to this stony king here, that
I am little the wiser for thy word, and thou the little more
betrayed. Only this I will say, that if He loveth thee not, He is
more of a fool than I be.
He reached out his hand to hers, but she drew it aback, and grew yet
more ashamed, and could find no word for him.
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