but as shapely as might be; but she was clad goodly withal, in a green
gown wrought with flowers.

So he watched her going to and fro; and at last he said:
"Maiden, wilt thou come hither a little, before I depart?"

"Yea," she said; and came and stood before him:
and he deemed that she was scarce so sad as she had been;
and she stood with her hands joined and her eyes downcast.
Then he said:

"Now I depart. Yet I would say this, that I am sorry of thy sorrow:
and now since I shall never see thee more, small would be the harm if I
were to kiss thy lips and thy face."

And therewith he took her hands in his and drew her to him, and put his arms
about her and kissed her many times, and she nothing lothe by seeming;
and he found her as sweet as May blossom.

Thereafter she smiled on him, yet scarce for gladness, and said:
"It is not all so sure that I shall not see thee again;
yet shall I do to thee as thou hast done to me."

Therewith she took his face between her hands, and kissed him well-favouredly;
so that the hour seemed good to him.

Then she took him by the hand and led him out-a-doors to his horse,
whereby the lad had been standing a good while; and he when he saw his
sister come out with the fair knight he scowled on them, and handled
a knife which hung at his girdle; but Ralph heeded him nought.