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EARL GEOFFREY SPEAKS WITH GOLDILIND.
But a little while had she sat there, before footsteps a many came to the door, which was thrown open, and straight it was as if the sun had shone on a flower-bed, for there was come Earl Geoffrey and his lords all arrayed most gloriously.

Then came the Earl up the chamber to Goldilind, and bent the knee before her, and said: "Lady and Queen, is it thy pleasure that thy servant should kiss thine hand ?" She made him little cheer, but reached out to him her lily hand in its gold sleeve, and said: "Thou must do thy will." So he kissed the hand reverently, and said: "And these my lords, may they enter and do obeisance and kiss hands, my Lady ?" Said Goldilind: "I will not strive to gainsay their will, or thine, my Lord." So they entered and knelt before her, and kissed her hand; and, to say sooth, most of them had been fain to kiss both hands of her, yea, and her cheeks and her lips; though but little cheer she made them, but looked sternly on them.
Then the Earl spake to her, and told her of her realm, and how folk thrived, and of the deep peace that was upon the land, and of the merry days of Meadham, and the praise of the people.

And she answered him nothing, but as he spake her bosom began to heave, and the tears came into her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.

Then man looked on man, and the Earl said: "My masters, I deem that my Lady hath will to speak to me privily, as to one who is her chiefest friend and well-willer.