Amongst that company there were two or three who looked at eachother and half smiled; and two or three looked on the maiden, who was goodly as of her years, as if with compassion; but the more part keptcountenance in full courtly wise.
Then spake Goldilind in a quavering voice (for she was afraid andwise), and she said: "Cousin and Earl, we will that all this be done; and itlikes me well to eke the wealth of this lady and my good friend DameElinor."
Quoth Earl Geoffrey: "Kneel before thy lady, Dame, and put thinehands between hers and thank her for the gift." So Dame Elinor kneltdown, and did homage and obeisance for her new land; and Goldilindraised her up and kissed her, and bade her sit down beside her, and spaketo her kindly; and all men praised the maiden for her gentle and courteousways; and Dame Elinor smiled upon her and them, what she could.
She was small of body and sleek; but her cheeks somewhat flagging;brown eyes she had, long, half opened; thin lips, and chin somewhatfalling away from her mouth; hard on fifty winters had she seen; yet therehave been those who were older and goodlier both.