Page:The Sundering Flood - Morris - 1898.djvu/341

 these that were round about her, even the valiant and generous Knight, had become for the time to her but images that had no part in her life.

But now the tire-women came to her and led her into a chamber apart, and bathed her and clad her in fair raiment and led her back into the hall, for so had the Blue Knight commanded.

As for the Carline, she was shown to a good place, and sat there heedfully, and had ears for everything that was said and eyes for all that was done. And she said to herself that they should not abide there very long ere she would find out something of the way her bird must follow if she were to have a happy life thenceforth.

But the next morning the Lady-mother took her son into a window of the hall and fell to talking with him. And the Carline was not far off, and heard a good part of all that they said; for she was fine-eared, and had brought lore to bear upon the hearkening.

Now spake the Lady: Well, son, so thou hast brought home a woman of the husbandmen, a churl's daughter, to dwell with us. What wilt thou do with her? Wilt thou wed her with priest and ring? Nay, mother, said Sir Mark; but thou needest not call her of churl's blood. I wot of these folk of the dales under the mountains, that they are both proud and warrior-like, as if they were earls' kindred. Is it so? said the Lady. But she is neither of the baronage nor the knighthood. I say, wilt thou wed her? I shall not, said Sir Mark, reddening and knitting