Exceeding
fair seemed that house to Folk-might, and as though it were the
dwelling of some great kindred.
But he had scarce gone over it with his eyes, and was just about to
draw nigher yet to it, when the door at the top of those steps
opened, and a woman came out of the house clad in a green kirtle and
a gown of brazil, with a golden-hilted sword girt to her side. Folk-
might saw at once that it was the Bride, and drew aback behind one of
the trees so that she might not see him, if she had not already seen
him, as it seemed not that she had, for she stayed but for a moment
on the top of the stair, looking out down the tree-rows, and then
came down the stair and went soberly along the road, passing so close
to Folk-might that he could see the fashion of her beauty closely, as
one looks into the work of some deftest artificer. Then it came
suddenly into his head that he would follow her and see whither she
was wending. 'At least,' said he to himself, 'if I come not to
speech with her, I shall be nigh unto her, and shall see somewhat of
her beauty.'
So he came out quietly from behind the tree, and followed her softly;
and he was clad in no garment save his kirtle, and bare no weapons to
clash and jingle, though he had his helm on his head for lack of a
softer hat.
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