spake in a milder voice: Be content here a while with me, and
thereafter thou shalt be more content, and that before long.

She said no more at that time; but her word clave to Birdalone's
heart, and for some time thereafter she was sorely oppressed with a
burden of fear, and knew not how to hold herself before the witch-
wife. But the days wore, and nought betid, and the maiden's heart
grew lighter, and still she wrought on at her gown and her smock, and
it was well-nigh done. She had broidered the said gown with roses
and lilies, and a tall tree springing up from amidmost the hem of the
skirt, and a hart on either side thereof, face to face of each other.
And the smock she had sewn daintily at the hems and the bosom with
fair knots and buds. It was now past the middle of June, hot and
bright weather.



CHAPTER VII. BIRDALONE HATH AN ADVENTURE IN THE WOOD



On a day she went to the wood, and sat down under her oak-tree, and
it was far and far out of sight of anyone standing in the meadow by
the lake; and in the wood Birdalone looked to see nought at all save
the rabbits and squirrels, who were, forsooth, familiar enough with
her, and fearless, so that they would come to her hand and sport with
her when she hailed them. Wherefore, as the day was exceeding hot,
she put off from her her simple raiment, that she might feel all the
pleasure of the cool shadow and what air was stirring, and the
kindness of the greensward upon her very body. So she sat sewing,