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 that thou hast not seen him, save this morning along with my Lady. Nay now, thou shalt swear it.

What shall I swear by? she said.

Quoth he, Thou shalt swear by my body; and therewith he thrust himself close up against her; but she drew her hand from his, and laid it on his breast, and said: I swear it by thy body.

He smiled on her licorously, and took her by the shoulders, and kissed her face many times, and then stood aloof from her, and said: Now have I had hansel: but tell me, when shall I come to thee?

She spoke out clearly: Within three days at furthest; I will do thee to wit of the day and the hour to-morrow, or the day after.

He kissed her once more, and said: Forget it not, or the threat holds good.

And therewith he turned about and went his ways toward the house; and Walter saw the yellow-brown thing creeping after him in the gathering dusk.

As for the Maid, she stood for a while without moving, and looking after the King’s Son and the creature that followed him. Then she turned about to where Walter lay and lightly put aside the boughs, and Walter 116