But she thought within herself how
wild and fierce the man was, and doubted if he might not go stark mad
on her hands and destroy her if she thwarted overmuch; and, moreover,
frankly she pitied him, and would do what she might to ease his pain
and solace his grief of heart. Wherefore she cleared her face of its
trouble and let it be vexed no longer, but smiled upon the knight and
said: Fair sir, this meseemeth but a little thing for me to do, and
I grant it thee with a good will, and this shall now be the first day
of the friendship if so thou wilt take it; and may it solace thee.
Who then was gleeful but the knight, and strange it was to see all
his sorrow run off him; and he became glad and gamesome as a youth,
and yet withal exceeding courteous and kind with her, as though he
were serving a mighty queen.
So then they wore the day together in all good fellowship; and first
they went up the dale together and right to the foot of that great
force, where the stream came thundering down from the sheer rocks;
and long Birdalone stood to look thereon, and much she marvelled at
it, for no such thing had she seen before.
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