'
Face-of-god reddened at her words, and the speaker and the last-comer
laughed; but Long-coat held her peace: she cast one very sober look
on him, and then ran lightly down the bent; he drew near the edge of
it, and watched her going; for her light-foot slimness was fair to
look on: and he noted that when she was nigh the thorn-bush whereon
hung the bright-broidered gowns, and deemed belike that she was not
seen, she kissed both her hands where he had kissed them erst.
Thereat he drew aback and turned away shyly, scarce looking at the
other twain, who smiled on him with somewhat jeering looks; but he
bade them farewell and departed speedily; and if they spoke, it was
but softly, for he heard their voices no more.
He went on under the sunlight which was now gilding the outstanding
stones of the cliffs, and still his mind was set upon the Bride; and
his meeting with the mother of the yet unborn baby, and with the
three women with their freshness and fairness, did somehow turn his
thought the more upon her, since she was the woman who was to be his
amongst all women, for she was far fairer than any one of them; and
through all manner of life and through all kinds of deeds would he be
with her, and know more of her fairness and kindness than any other
could: and him-seemed he could see pictures of her and of him amidst
all these deeds and ways.
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