And I will write a letter for thee to give to the lord of Utterbol, which he will heed, if he heedeth aught my good-will or enmity.

I beseech thee come for it in three days wearing." Therewith she arose and took his hand and led him to the door, and he departed, blessing her goodness, and wondering at her courtesy and gentle speech.
For those three days he was still seeking tidings everywhere, till folk began to know of him far and wide, and to talk of him.

And at the time appointed he went to the Queen's House and was brought to her chamber as before, and she was alone therein.

She greeted him and smiled on him exceeding kindly, but he might not fail to note of her that she looked sad and her face was worn by sorrow.

She bade him sit beside her, and said: "Hast thou any tidings of the woman whom thou seekest ?" "Nay, nay," said he, "and now I am minded to carry on the search out-a-gates.