The Forest Lovers

"Having slain one man this day," he said, "I should recommend you to

be wary how you tread with another."

She stared open-mouthed at him for a full minute and a half. Then,

seeing he never winked or budged, she grew frightened and piteous,

threw her arms up, turned, and fled up the north path, squealing like

a wounded rabbit.

Prosper clapped-to his spurs and made after her with his teeth

grinding together. Very soon, however, he pulled up short. "The man is

dead. Let her go for this present. And I am not quite sure. I will

bide my time."

That was the motto of the Gais--"I bide my time." He was,

nevertheless, perfectly sure in his private mind; but then he was

always perfectly sure, and recognized that it was a weakness of his.

So the woman went her way, and he his for that turn...

Riding forward carelessly, with a loose rein, he slept that night in

the woods. Next day he rode fast and long without meeting a living

soul, and so came at last into Morgraunt Forest, where the trees shut

out the light of the day, and very few birds sing. He entered the east

purlieus in the evening of his fifth day from Starning, and slept in a

rocky valley. Tall black trees stood all round him, the vanguards of

the forest host.