But lo! here cometh our Maid with the good grey ones.

Go meet her, and we will tarry no longer than for thy taking the leash in hand." So Walter looked, and saw the Maid coming with two couple of great hounds in the leash straining against her as she came along.

He ran lightly to meet her, wondering if he should have a look, or a half-whisper from her; but she let him take the white thongs from her hand, with the same half- smile of shamefacedness still set on her face, and, going past him, came softly up to the Lady, swaying like a willow-branch in the wind, and stood before her, with her arms hanging down by her sides.

Then the Lady turned to her, and said: "Look to thyself, our Maid, while we are away.
This fair young man thou needest not to fear indeed, for he is good and leal; but what thou shalt do with the King's Son I wot not.

He is a hot lover forsooth, but a hard man; and whiles evil is his mood, and perilous both to thee and me.