The Forest Lovers

Vincent sighed. "I must go. Good-bye, Isoult. I shall see you again, I

am very sure."

"I hope you will. Good-bye."

He did not dare so much as touch the bed, but went out at once to make

his report. He had questioned the boy--a dull boy, but he thought

honest. Assuredly he had seen no lady on his way. His lies deceived

Maulfry, who would have known better but for her proneness to think

everybody a fool. Soon Isoult heard the thud of hoofs on the herbage;

then Alice came running in to hear the story at large.

The two girls became very friendly. Their heads got close together

over Prosper and Galors and Maulfry--the Golden Knight who was a

woman! The escape savoured a miracle, was certainly the act of some

heavenly power. An Archangel, Alice thought, to which Isoult,

convinced that it was Love, assented for courtesy.

"Though for my part," she added, "I lean hardly upon Saint Isidore."

"You do well," said Alice, "he is a great saint. Is he your patron?"

"I think he is," said Isoult.

"Then it is he who has helped you, be sure. No other could know the

ins and outs of your story so well, or make such close provision. The

Archangels, you see, are few, and their business very great." Isoult

agreed.

Of Prosper Alice could not get a clear image. When Isoult was upon

that theme her visions blinded her, and sent her for refuge to

abstractions. She candidly confessed that he did not love her; but

then she did not ask that he should.

"But you pray, 'Give him me all,'" Alice objected.

"Yes, I want to be his servant, and that he should have no other. I

cannot bear that any one should do for him what I can do best. That is

what I tell the Holy Virgin."

"And Saint Isidore, I hope," said Alice gently; but Isoult thought

not.

"It would be useless to tell Saint Isidore," she explained.

"He is a man, and men think differently of these matters. They want

more, and do not understand to be contented with much less."

"Forgive me, Isoult. I know nothing of love and lovers. But if you

marry this lord--as I suppose you might?"

"He might marry me," said Isoult slowly.

"Well, then, is there no more to look for in marriage but the liberty

to serve?"

"I look for nothing else."

"But he might?"

"Ah, ah! If he did!"

"Well?"

"Oh, Alice, I love him so!"

"Darling Isoult--I see now. Forgive me."

The two friends cried together and kissed, as girls will. Then they

talked of what there was to do. Isoult was resolute to go.

"She will ride straight to High March," she said. "I know her. My lord

is there. If she finds not me, she will find him, and endanger his

ease. I must be there first. She must follow the paths, however they

wind, because she is mounted on a heavy horse. I shall go through the

brakes by ways that I know. I shall easily outwit her in the forest."