Then she came forth from the water, and clad herself in no great
haste, and did on her hauberk and sallet and sword, and so went back
to her place, and sat down and began to do on her foot-gear.
But as she looked up from her work a moment, lo! a tall man coming
toward her, and just about the willows whereby she had bathed. Her
heart beat quick and her face changed, yet she hastened, and was shod
and stood up in knightly array by then he stayed his steps some five
paces from her, and gave her the sele of the day in courteous wise;
and she strove to think that he had not seen her, or at least noted
her otherwise dight; yet her heart misgave her.
He was a grizzled-haired man of over fifty summers by seeming, but
goodly enough and well-knit; he was clad in a green coat more than a
little worn, but made after the fashion of knighthood; he had nought
on his head but an oak-chaplet, and no weapons but a short sword by
his side and a stout staff in his hand.
She gave back his greeting in a quavering voice; and he said:
Welcome again, young man.
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