ar that i can be no fit companion for
you." so saying, with downcast lids and a dignity which was
somewhat marred by her bedraggled skirt, she swept off down the
muddy track, leaving alleyne standing staring ruefully after her.
he waited in vain for some backward glance or sign of relenting,
but she walked on with a rigid neck until her dress was only a
white flutter among the leaves. then, with a sunken head and a
heavy heart, he plodded wearily down the other path, wroth with
himself for the rude and uncouth tongue which had given offence
where so little was intended.
he had gone some way, lost in doubt and in self-reproach, his
mind all tremulous with a thousand new-found thoughts and fears
and wonderments, when of a sudden there was a light rustle of the
leaves behind him, and, glancing round, there was this graceful,
swift-footed creature, treading in his very shadow, with her
proud head bowed, even as his was--the picture of humility and
repentance.
"i shall not vex you, nor even speak," she said; "but i would
fain keep with you while we are in the wood."
"nay, you cannot vex me," he answered, all warm again at the very
sight of her. "it was my rough words which vexed you; but i have
been thrown among men all my life, and indeed, with all the will,
i scarce know how to temper my speech to a lady's ear."
"then unsay it," cried she quickly; "say that i was right to wish
to have vengeance on the socman."
"nay, i cannot do that," he answered gravely.
"then who is ungentle and unkind now?" she cried in triumph.
"how stern and cold you are for one so young! art surely no mere
clerk, but bishop or cardinal at the least. shouldst have
crozier for staff and mitre for cap. well, well, for your sake i
will forgive the socman and take vengeance on none but on my own
wilful self who must needs run into danger's path. so will that
please you, sir?"
"there spoke your true self," said he; "and you will find more
pleasure in such forgiveness than in any vengeance."
she shook her head, as if by no means assured of it, and then
with a sudden little cry, which had more of surprise than of joy
in it, "here is bertrand with the horses!"
down the glade there came a little green-clad page with laughing
eyes, and long curls floating behind him. he sat perched on a
high bay horse, and held on to the bridle of a spirited black
palfrey, the hides of both glistening from a long run.
"i have sought you everywhere, dear lady maude," said he in a
piping voice, springing down from his horse and holding the
stirrup. "troubadour galloped as far as holmhill ere i could
catch him. i trust that you have had no hurt or scath?" he shot
a questioning glance at alleyne as he spoke.
"no, bertrand," said she, "thanks to this courteous stranger.
and now, sir," she continued, springing into her saddle, "it is
not fit that i leave you without a word more. clerk or no, you
have acted this day as becomes a true knight. king arthur and
all his table could not have done more. it may be that, as some
small return, my father or his kin may have power to advance your
interest. he is not rich, but he is honored and hath great
friends. tell me what is your purpose, and see if he may not aid
it."
"alas! lady, i have now no purpose. i have but two friends in
the world, and they have gone to christchurch, where it is likely
i shall join them."
"and where is christchurch?"
"at the castle which is held by the brave knight, sir nigel
loring, constable to the earl of salisbury."
to his surprise she burst out a-laughing, and, spurring her
palfrey, dashed off down the glade, with her page riding behind
her. not one word did she say, but as she vanished amid the
trees she half turned in her saddle and waved a last greeting.
long time he stood, half hoping that she might again come back to
him; but the thud of the hoofs had died away, and there was no
sound in all the woods but the gentle rustle and dropping of the
leaves. at last he turned away and made his way back to the
high-road--another person from the light-hearted boy who had left
it a short three hours before.
chapter x.
how hordle john found a man whom he might follow.
if he might not return to beaulieu within the year, and if his
brother's dogs were to be set upon him if he showed face upon
minstead land, then indeed he was adrift upon earth. north,
south, east, and west--he might turn where he would, but all was
equally chill and cheerless. the abbot had rolled ten silver
crowns in a lettuce-leaf and hid them away in the bottom of his
scrip, but that would be a sorry support for twelve long months.
in all the darkness there was but the one bright spot of the
sturdy comrades whom he had left that morning; if he could find
them again all would be well. the afternoon
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