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156 'I could never learn, for he was carried within the barrier, and as I had chanced to break the bone of my leg it was a great unease to me to ride or even to stand. Yet, by the goodness of heaven and the pious intercession of the valiant St. George, I was able to sit my charger in the great battle, which was no very long time afterwards. But what have we here? A very fair and courtly maiden, or I mistake.'

It was indeed a tall and buxom country lass, with a basket of spinach leaves upon her head, and a great slab of bacon tucked under one arm. She bobbed a frightened curtsey as Sir Nigel swept his velvet hat from his head and reined up his great charger.

'God be with thee, fair maiden!' said he.

'God guard thee, my lord!' she answered, speaking in the broadest West Saxon speech, and balancing herself first on one foot and then on the other in her bashfulness.

'Fear not, my fair damsel,' said Sir Nigel, 'but tell me if perchance a poor and most unworthy knight can in any wise be of service to you. Should it chance that you have been used despitefully, it may be that I may obtain justice for you.'

'Lawk no, kind sir,' she answered, clutching her bacon the tighter, as though some design upon it might be hid under this knightly offer. 'I be the milking wench o' fairmer Arnold, and he be as kind a maister as heart could wish.'

'It is well,' said he, and with a shake of the bridle rode on down the woodland path. 'I would have you bear in mind,' he continued to his squires, 'that gentle courtesy is not, as is the base use of so many false knights, to be shown only to maidens of high degree, for there is no woman so humble that a true knight may not listen to her tale of wrong. But here comes a cavalier who is indeed in haste. Perchance it would be well that we should ask him whither he rides, for it may be that he is one who desires to advance himself in chivalry.'

The bleak, hard, wind-swept road dipped down in front