The Night Land

Yet, though I waited a good time after the dog had left me, I had no

sight of Mirdath, and so passed on again, with my heart heavy in me; but

without bitterness, because of the understanding that was begun to grow

in my heart. Now, there passed two weary and lonely weeks, in which I grew sick to

have knowledge of the beautiful maid. And, truly, in the end of that

time, I made a sudden resolving that I would go in through the gap, and

come to the home-grounds about the Hall, and so maybe have some sight of

her.

And this resolving I had one evening; and I went out immediately, and

came to the gap, and went in through the gap, and so by a long walking

to the gardens about the Hall. And, truly, when I was come there, I saw

a good light of lanthorns and torches, and a great company of people

dancing; and all drest in quaint dress; so that I knew they had a

festival for some cause. And there came suddenly a horrid dread into my

heart that this might be the marriage-dance of the Lady Mirdath; but,

indeed, this was foolishness; for I had surely heard of the marriage, if

there had been any. And, truly, in a moment, I remembered that she was

come one-and-twenty years of age on that day, and to the end of her

ward-ship; and this surely to be festival in honour of the same.

And a very bright and pretty matter it was to watch, save that I was so

heavy in the heart with loneliness and longing; for the company was

great and gay, and the lights plentiful and set all about from the

trees; and in leaf-made arbours about the great lawn. And a great table

spread with eating matters and silver and crystal, and great lamps of

bronze and silver went all a-down one end of the lawn; and the dance

constant upon the other part.

And surely, the Lady Mirdath to step out of the dance, very lovely

drest; yet seeming, to mine eyes, a little pale in the looming of the

lights. And she to wander to a seat to rest; and, indeed, in a moment,

there to be a dozen youths of the great families of the country-side, in

attendance about her, making talk and laughter, and each eager for her

favour; and she very lovely in the midst of them, but yet, as I did

think, lacking of somewhat, and a little pale-seeming, as I have told;

and her glance to go odd-wise beyond the groupt men about her; so that I

understood in a moment that her lover was not there, and she to be

a-lack in the heart for him. Yet, why he was not there, I could not

suppose, save that he might have been called back to the Court.