United States or Bolivia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
They sat in a ring on the grass round an iron pot. Each had a fork with which he fished for himself. Down came Falve smirking, and sat himself by Isoult. He had a flower in his hand. "I plucked this for my mistress," says he, "but failing her I give it to my master." She had to take it, with a sick smile. She had a sicker heart. The horrid play went on. Falve grinned and shrugged like a Frenchman.
The men made merry over this comedy, finding appetite for it; but to the girl came back that elfin look she had almost lost since she had known Prosper. She had worn it the night she came plump on Galors, but never since. Now again hers were a hare's eyes, wide and quaking. From that hour her peace left her, for Falve never did.
Prosper learnt that Isoult had been put in her way to safety by the old woman, who immediately after had made that way the most perilous of all with the best intentions always. "Master Falve, I am your debtor," said Prosper at the end; "I wish you good evening." "Messire, will you not find my wife?" "Your wife again, sirrah!" cried he, turning sharply.
"Dame," he said civilly, "I must thank you for the great charge you have been at with a certain lady much in both our hearts. No doubt she has spoken to you of Messire Prosper le Gai. Madam, I am he." "As God is great," Falve cried, "I could have sworn the lord of this town was Messire Galors de Born." "And so he was but yesterday," said Galors. "But now I hold it for the Countess Isabel."
But she began to think she might cope with Galors. When the asses were unloaded in the inn-yard, and the coal stacked under cover, Falve took his prisoner by the hand and led her by many winding lanes to his mother's shop. This was in Litany Row, a crazy dark entry over against the Dominican convent.
Doubt not this knight of thine will never return; they never do return, my lassie. Neither doubt but that Falve will wed thee faster than any ring can do. And as for thy scratch and crying heart, my child, trust Falve again to stanch the one and still the other. For that is a man's way. And now get into bed, child; it grows late." There was nothing for it but to obey.
With that he pulls off Isoult's green cap. All her hair tumbled about her shoulders in a fan. "Mother of God," cried the old woman, "this is a proper girl indeed, if other things are as they should be, to accord with these tresses." "Never fear for that, mother," said Falve. "Trust me, she will be a good wife out and in.
And you shall be queen of me, and of the green wood, and of this bed." Isoult began to shake so violently that she could hardly stand. "How! does not the prospect please you?" said Falve. She could only plead for time. "Time?" asked he, "time for what? There is time for all in the forest. Moreover, you have had time." "Would you have me wed you, Falve?" she faltered.
The name hath promise of plenty; but for whose good I say not. And who gave you such a name as that, pray?" "I have never known any other, ma'am." "Hum, hum," mumbled the dame. "I've heard more Christian names and names less Christian, but never one that went better on a bride." "Mother, a word in your ear," said Falve. The couple drew apart and the man whispered
Meantime the hour of her wedding, as Falve had appointed it, drew near. In middle July the whole gang were to go to Hauterive with coal for the Castle. Falve's mother, I have told you, lived there in a little huckster's shop she had. Falve's plan was to harbour Isoult there for the night, and wed her on the morrow as early as might be. But he told the girl nothing of all this.
Word Of The Day