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We have had no pursuit worthy the name. It is evident to me that they have calculated the deserts of Master Galors at Malbank, and put it at our figure. Nevertheless, I am glad to be at Gracedieu, for I had decided upon it before ever we met and drubbed that monk. For it would seem that a man can do without a body, but by no means without a soul.
"I wonder how much stuff for his mind that student of ladies will win at Malbank," laughed Prosper to himself, little knowing, indeed. Leaving the high road on his right hand, Prosper struck over the heath towards a solemn beech-wood, which he took to be the very threshold of Morgraunt. As a fact it was no more than an outstretched finger of its hand, by name Cadnam Thicket.
And should I not tell him that thou art ruined according to his aspirations?" "Lord," said she, "he will know it." "Saints and angels!" Prosper cried, "who will tell him? Not Brother Bonaccord, who loves no monks." "Nay, lord, but my mother will tell him for the ruin of Galors, who hates her and is hated again. Moreover, there are many in Malbank who will find it out soon enough."
Go home to Starning, go where you like, and wait. If you see me again the lady will be with me." "You shall not find me ungrateful, I promise," cried Malise, going out. "Damn your gratitude," said Galors, when the door was shut. A mortified Perseus in drab cloak and slouch hat, he went to Malbank next day and verified his prognosis.
He saw the river with a boat's sail, the village of Malbank Saint Thorn on the further bank and the cloud of thin blue smoke over it; far across the heath came the roar of the weirs. Behind it and on all sides began to rise before him the dark rampart of trees Morgraunt. Prosper's heart grew merry within him at the sight of all this freshness, the splendour of the morning.
What am I before the Abbot, or what is my love for you to be brought to his ears? It is doom more certain still, my dear." "Then I shall be hanged." "Listen to me now, Isoult. Listen close. No, leave your hands where they are; they are safer there than elsewhere. So leave them and listen close. No soul in Malbank but myself and the Lord Abbot knows of what I have told you now.
With such talk they went until they reached a little wood, and then disposed of themselves for the night. When Prosper woke next morning the good man had gone. He had left a written message to the effect that, petticoats or none, he had stolen a march on steel, and might be looked for at Malbank.
Prosper knelt down to pray; but what he found set him to better work. He found Isoult's wedding-ring. "By God," he cried, "who made men to labour, I will pray with my hands this turn!" He ran for his horse and sword. Courage came with his gallop, courage and self-esteem, without which no man ever did anything yet. With self-esteem returned sober thought. "I can do Malbank in three or four hours.
So she grew more a spirit and less a maid; her eyes waxed larger, and the pupils whelmed the grey in jet. The people of Malbank frankly took her for a saint. Martyrs, virgins, and such rare birds do not hop in every cage; but what more reasonable than that the famous Abbot of Saint Thorn should catch one in his own springes?
She knew much more than he about birds, about the woods, the country beyond the forest great rolling sheep-pastures, dim stretches of fen, sleepy rivers, the heaths and open lands about Malbank. Of all these things which came to him through her voice almost with a breath of their own roving air, he knew absolutely nothing, whereas there was very little county-lore which she did not know.
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