Page:Wood Beyond the World.djvu/156

 the first of the plain, and I see nought for it but we must now rest our bodies. Moreover I have a tale to tell thee which is burning my heart; for maybe there will be a pardon to ask of thee moreover; wherefore I fear thee.

Quoth Walter: How may that be?

She answered him not, but took his hand and led him down the bent. But he said: Thou sayest, rest; but are we now out of all peril of the chase?

She said: I cannot tell till I know what hath befallen her. If she be not to hand to set on her trackers, they will scarce happen on us now; if it be not for that one.

And she shuddered, and he felt her hand change as he held it.

Then she said: But peril or no peril, needs must we rest; for I tell thee again, what I have to say to thee burneth my bosom for fear of thee, so that I can go no further until I have told thee.

Then he said: I wot not of this Queen and her mightiness and her servants. I will ask thereof later. But besides the others, is there not the King’s Son, he who loves thee so unworthily?

She paled somewhat, and said: As for

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