"How!" quoth Roger, staring, "speak we no more of--Her?"
"No more!"
"Forsooth, so be it, master, then will we talk of Sir Fidelis his love--"
"Nor of Sir Fidelis."
"Ha!" growled Roger, scratching his head, "must we go mumchance then, master?"
"There be other matters for talk."
"Aye--there's witchcraft, master. For mark me, when thou wert sick and nigh to God and the holy saints, the evil spell could not come nigh thee, and thou didst yearn and cry continually for nought but--Her. But now--now that thou'rt hale and strong again--"
"I behold things with mind unclouded, Roger."
"Save by enchantments damned, master. Since that evil day we met yon accursed witch of Hangstone, hast never been thyself."
"Now do ye mind me how this woman did speak me of marvels and wonders, Roger--"
"Artifice, lord--devilish toys to lure thee to fouler bewitchments."
"Howbeit, I will seek her out."
"Nay, good master, here shall be perils dire and deadly. O bethink thee, lest she change thee into a swine, or black dog, aye, or even a small shrew-mouse--I've heard of such ere now--or blast thee with fire, or loathly disease, or--"
"None the less will I go."
"Never say so, master!"
"At the full o' the moon."
"Lord, now do I beseech thee--"
"And the moon will be full--to-night, Roger. Go you and saddle now the horse."
Forthwith went Roger, gloomy and nothing speaking, what time Beltane sat there staring down at the wallet on his knee, bethinking him of many things, and, for that he was alone, sighing deep and oft; and so, very suddenly, hung the wallet to his girdle and thereafter arose.
In a while cometh gloomy Roger leading the destrier Mars, whereon gloomy Beltane swung to saddle, and, looking round about him once and twice, rode slowly towards where, beyond the shade of trees, the forest road ran north and south.
But, as for Roger, needs must he pause upon the edge of the clearing to look back at the little cave beneath the steep, whereby the small water-brook flowed murmurously; a while he stood thus, to frown and shake gloomy head; then lifted he his hand on high, much as he had bid one sorrowful farewell, and, turning about, trudged away after his lord.