But though all men
gainsay it, yet will not I. It is meet and right that we twain wed.'
She spake very soberly and quietly, but when she had spoken there was
nothing in his heart but joy and gladness: yet shame of her
loveliness refrained him, and he cast down his eyes before hers.
Then she said in a kind voice:
'I know thee, how glad thou art of this word of mine, because thou
lookest on me with eyes of love, and thinkest of me as better than I
am; though I am no ill woman and no beguiler. But this is not all
that I have to say to thee, though it be much; for there are more
folk in the world than thou and I only. But I told thee this first,
that thou mightest trust me in all things. So, my friend, if thou
canst, refrain thy joy and thy longing a little, and hearken to what
concerneth thee and me, and thy people and mine.'
'Fair woman and sweet friend,' he said, 'thou knowest of a gladness
which is hard to bear if one must lay it aside for a while; and of a
longing which is hard to refrain if it mingle with another longing--
knowest thou not?'
'Yea,' she said, 'I know it.'
'Yet,' said Face-of-god, 'I will forbear as thou biddest me.
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