.

OF THE WOODLAND BRIDE-CHAMBER.
They rode in silence a good way, and it was some three hours after noon, and the day as fair and bright as might be.

Christopher held his peace for sweet shame that he was alone with a most fair maid, and she his own, and without defence against him.

But she amidst of her silence turned, now red, and now somewhat pale, and now and again she looked somewhat askance on him, and he deemed her looks were no kinder than they should be.
At last she spake, yet not looking on him, and said: "So, Forester, now is done what I must needs do: thy life is saved, and I am quit of Greenharbour, and its prison, and its torments: whither away then ?" Quoth he, all dismayed, for her voice was the voice of anger: "I wot not whither, save to the house thou hast blessed already with thy dear body." At that word she turned quite pale, and trembled, and spake not for a while, and smote her horse and hastened on the way, and he after her; but when he was come up with her again, then she said, still not looking at him: "A house of woodmen and wolf-heads.

Is that a meet dwelling-place for me?
Didst thou hear men at Greenharbour say that I am a Queen ?" "Hear them I did," quoth he; "but meseemeth nought like a Queen had they done with thee." She said: "And dost thou mock me with that?
thou ?" And she burst out weeping.