And there the forest came down the valley--for it is not enough for me to call a combe--almost to the rear of the hall and the quickset inclosure around it.
It was afternoon and towards evening when I came here, and I bided in the woods a mile from the hall, in a safe place where none ever came, until I heard the horn which called all men in to sup.

Then, when I judged that they had gathered, I struck towards the path that leads down to the hall, keeping yet under cover.

One ran in haste towards his supper as I neared it, so I knew that perhaps he was the last to take his place, and that for an hour or two I was secure.
Now in this wood, and not so far from where I was, is a little nook with a fallen tree, and here Alswythe and her mother were wont to come in the warm evenings, and sit while the feeding in hall went on, so soon as they could leave the board.

And there, too, I had met Alswythe often lately, sitting and taking pleasure in her company, till she knew that I would want no better companion for all my life.
This was just such an evening as might tempt her there, and I would at least have the sorrow of biding there alone for the last time.

So I crept to that place very softly, and sat me down to think.
Maybe I had sat there a quarter of an hour when I heard a step coming, and that step set my heart beating fast, for it was the one I longed for.