But as the
day waned her courage waned with it, so that at last she stayed some
six miles short of the house, and craved shelter at a yeoman's stead
there, which was granted her with all kindness; and they made much of
her, and she told them her vow of the sallet, and they deemed nought
save that she was a young man.
She departed early in the morning with their God-speed, and while the
day was yet young came into the meadows before the castle, and saw
the towers thereof rising up before her: then she checked her horse,
and rode on no faster than a foot's pace; yet as slow as she might
ride, needs must she get to the gate while the day was yet young.
So came Birdalone by that bower wherein she had slept that first
night she came to the castle; and she reined up to look on it; and as
she sat there gazing, came a man out from it clad as a man of
religion; and her heart beat quick, and she was like to fall from her
horse, for there came into her mind what the townsman had said, that
the Black Squire had gone into religion. But the hermit came towards
her with a cup of water in his hand, and he cast his hood aback from
him, and she saw at once that it was Leonard the priest, and though
it was not the friend whom she sought, yet was she glad that it was a
friend; but he came and stood by her, and said: Hail, wayfarer! wilt
thou drink of our well and rest thee a while? So she took the cup
and drank of the water, looking kindly on him, while he wondered at
the beauty of her hand, and misdoubted him.
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