but the chamber became dark about him, and he lay there thinking
of her, till, as it seemed, day began to dawn, and there was some little
stir in the world without, and the new wind moved the casement.
And again the door opened, and someone entered as before; and this
also was a woman: green-clad she was and barefoot, yet he knew at once
that it was not his love that was dead, but the damsel of the ale-house
of Bourton, whom he had last seen by the wantways of the Wood Perilous,
and he thought her wondrous fair, fairer than he had deemed.
And the word came from her: "I am a sending of the woman whom thou
hast loved, and I should not have been here save she had sent me."
Then the words ended, while he looked at her and wondered if she
also had died on the way to the Well at the World's End. And it
came into his mind that he had never known her name upon the earth.
Then again came the word: "So it is that I am not dead but alive
in the world, though I am far away from this land; and it is good
that thou shouldst go seek the Well at the World's End not all alone:
and the seeker may find me: and whereas thou wouldst know my name,
I hight Dorothea."

So fell the words again: and this image stood awhile as the other had done,
and as the other had done, departed, and once more the chamber became dark,
so that Ralph could not so much as see where was the window, and he knew
no more till he woke in the early morn, and there was stir in the street
and the voice of men, and the scent of fresh herbs and worts, and fruits;
for it was market-day, and the country folk were early afoot, that they
might array their wares timely in the market-place.



CHAPTER 16