Page:Ivanhoe (1820 Volume 3).pdf/243

 poor knave, as thou hast partly seen, is as faithful as steel."

"Nay," said the Knight, "an he have the gift of shewing my road, I shall not grumble with him that he desires to make it pleasant.—Fare thee well, kind Wilfrid—I charge thee not to attempt to travel till to-morrow at earliest."

So saying, he extended his hand to Ivanhoe, who pressed it to his lips, took leave of the Prior, mounted his horse, and departed, with Wamba for his companion. Ivanhoe followed them with his eyes, until they were lost in the shades of the surrounding forest, and then returned into the convent.

But shortly after mattin-song, he requested to see the Prior. The old man came in haste, and enquired anxiously after the state of his health.

"It is better," he said, "than my fondest hope could have anticipated; either my wound has been slighter than the effusion of blood led me to suppose, or this balsam hath wrought a wonderful cure upon it. I feel already as if I