She thanked him and smiled on him kindly, so that his heart beat fast
for joy and love of her; and therewith she gat into the saddle and
they rode their ways together, and Birdalone looked back never till
the Castle of the Quest was shut from their eyes by the nesses of the
little hills.
Here ends the Fifth Part of the Water of the Wondrous Isles, which is
called The Tale of the Quest's Ending, and begins the Sixth Part of
the said tale, which is called The Days of Absence.
THE SIXTH PART: THE DAYS OF ABSENCE
CHAPTER I. BIRDALONE RIDES TO GREENFORD AND THERE TAKES LEAVE OF
ARNOLD AND HIS MEN
On the road to Greenford nought befell to tell of; they came thither
when the sun was at point to set, for they had ridden diligently all
day.
As they rode the streets of the good town, they noted of them, that
though it was evening wherein folk do much disport them abroad, there
were women and children enough in the streets or standing at their
doors, but of carles very few, and they for the more part grey-heads.
Now did Arnold bring Birdalone to the town hall, wherein yet sat the
deputy of the burgrave, who himself was in the leaguer at the Red
Hold; this man, who was old and wise and nothing feeble of body, made
much of Birdalone and her folk, and was glad of them when he knew
that they had the seal and let-pass of Geoffrey of Lea; wherefore he
gave them to eat and drink, and lodged them in his own house, and
made them the best of cheer.
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