Spake Christopher: "Lord, this is better than hanging."
"Why, so it is, lad," said the Earl, laughing again, "and some wouldsay better by a good deal. But hearken! if thou take it, thou must abidehere in Greenharbour--a long while, maybe; yea, even so long as my Ladydwelleth here."
Christopher flushed and said: "Lord, thou art kind and gracious, andI will take thy bidding."
The Earl said: "Well, so it shall be then; and presently thou shalt goout of this guard-room a free man. But abide a while."
Therewith he drew a stool to him and sat down, and spake not for along while; and Christopher abode his pleasure; at last spake the Earl:"One day, mayhappen, we may make a wedding for thee, and that no illone."
Christopher laughed: "Lord," said he, "what lady will wed me, a noman's son?"
Said the Earl: "Not if the Lord of Meadham be thy friend? Well then,how if the Lady and Queen of Meadham make thee the wedding?"
Said Christopher: "I were liefer to make mine own wedding, whensoI need a woman in my bed: I will compel no woman, nor ask others tocompel her."
The Earl rose up, and fell to pacing the prison to and fro; and at last hestood over against Christopher, and said: "Hearken, forester: I will foretell thy fortune; it is that thou shalt become great by wedding."
Christopher held his peace; and the Earl spake again: "Now is theshortest word best. We deem thee both goodly and doughty, and wouldwed thee to a great lady, even that one to whom thou hast shown kindnessin the wilderness."
Said Christopher: "It is the wont of great lords to mock poor folk,therefore I must not show anger against thee."
"I mock thee not," said the Earl; "I mean nought, but as my wordssay."
"Nay then," said Christopher, "thou biddest me an evil deed, greatLord. What I said was that I would compel no woman; and shall Icompel her who is the wonder of the world and my very own Lady?"
"Hold thy peace, sir fool," said the Earl; "let me tell thee that she is aslike to compel thee as thou her. And as to her being thy Lady, she shallbe thy Lady and wife indeed; but not here, for above all things will she gether away from Greenharbour, and thou shalt be her champion, to lead herabout the world like a knight errant."
Now was Christopher so troubled that he knew not what countenanceto make, and scarce might he get a word out of his mouth a long while.At last he said: "Lord, I see that I must needs do thy will if this be notrap which thou hast set for me. But overwonderful it is, that a great ladyshould be wedded to a gangrel churl."
The Earl laughed: "Many a ferly fares to the fair-eyed," quoth he;"and also I will tell thee in thine ear that this Lady may not be so great asher name is great. Did she praise her life-days to thee?"