Page:Wood Beyond the World.djvu/225

 Then was she silent again; and he spake not, but looked on her shyly; and she said, reddening yet more: Furthermore, I must needs tell thee that I feared to go to thee in the dark night, and my heart so yearning towards thee.

And she hung her head adown; but he said: Is it so indeed, that thou fearest me? Then doth that make me afraid. . . afraid of thy nay-say. For I was going to entreat thee, and say to thee: Beloved, we have now gone through many troubles; let us now take a good reward at once, and wed together, here amidst this sweet and pleasant house of the mountains, ere we go further on our way; if indeed we go further at all. For where shall we find any place sweeter or happier than this?

But she sprang up to her feet, and stood there trembling before him, because of her love; and she said: Beloved, I have deemed that it were good for us to go seek mankind as they live in the world, and to live amongst them. And as for me, I will tell thee the sooth, to wit, that I long for this sorely. For I feel afraid in the wilderness, and as if I needed help and protection against my Mistress, though she be dead; and I need the