So when men were
quiet after dinner she went into the hall and found him there, pacing
up and down the floor. For indeed she had sent a word to him by
Leonard the priest that he should be there.
So she went up to him, and all simply she took him by the hand and
led him into a shot-window and set him down by her; and he, all
trembling for love and fear of her, might not forbear, but kissed her
face and her mouth many times; and she grew as hot as fire, and
somewhat she wept.
Then she spake after a while: Dear friend, I had it in my mind to
say to thee many things that meseems were sage, but now neither will
the thought of them come into my mind, nor the words into my mouth.
And this is a short hour. And therewith she fell to kissing him,
till he was well-nigh beside himself betwixt desire and joy and the
grief of departure, and the hardness of the case.
But at last she forbore and said: Will it not be when thou art gone
to-morrow as it was when ye were away upon the Quest, and I knew not
how to bear myself, so heavy lay all the world and its doings and its
fashion upon me? It will be hard to me, he said; evil and grim will
be the days.
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