YetIknowthatthouwiltabideheretillsomeoneelsecome，whetherthatbeearlyorlate。”Againhereddened，andsaid，inacoaxingway：“Andwiltthougivemeguesting，mother，forafewmoresummerdays？”
　　“Yea。”shesaid，“andtillsummerisover，ifneedbe，andthecorniscutandcarried，andtillthewinteriscomeandthelatterendofwinterisgone。”Hesmiledfaintly，thoughhisheartfell，andhesaid：
　　“Nay，mother，andcanitbyanychancebesolonga-coming？”
　　“O，fairboy。”shesaid，“thouwiltmakeitlong，howsoevershortitbe。AndnowIwillgivetheearede，lestthouvexthyselfsickandfretthyveryheart。
　　To-morrowgoseeifthoucanstmeetthyfateinsteadofabidingit。
　　Doonthywar-gearandtakethyswordandtrytheadventureofthewildwood；butgonotoverdeepintoit。”Saidhe：
　　“ButhowiftheLadycomewhileIamawayfromthishouse？”
　　“Soothtosay。”saidthecarline，“Ideemnotthatshewill，forthewayislongbetwixtusandher。”
　　“Dostthoumean。”saidRalph，standingupfromtheboard，“thatshewillnotcomeever？Iadjuretheenottobeguilemewithsoftwords，buttellmetheverysooth。”
　　“There，there！”saidshe，“sitdown，king’sson；eatthymeatanddrinkthywine；forto-morrowisanewday。
　　Shewillcomesoonorlate，ifshebeyetintheworld。
　　AndnowIwillsaynomoretotheeconcerningthismatter。”
　　Therewithshewentherwaysfromthehall，andwhenshecamebackwithhand-basinandtowel，shesaidnowordtohim，butonlysmiledkindly。
　　Hewentoutpresentlyintothemeadowforitwasyetbutearlyafternoon
　　andcameamongthehaymakingfolkandspakewiththem，hopingthatperchancesomeofthemmightspeakagainoftheLadyofAbundance；
　　butnoneofthemdidso，thoughtheoldcarlehehadspokenwithwasthere，andtherealsowerethetwomaidenswhomhehadseenfishing；andasforhim，hewasoverfaint-heartedtoaskthemanymorequestionsconcerningher。
　　Yetheabodewiththemlong，andateanddrankamidstthehaywiththemtillthemoonshonebrightly。Thenhewentbacktothecastleandfoundthecarlineinthehall，andshehadthebookwithherandgaveittohim，andhesatdownintheshot-windowunderthewaxlightsandfelltoreadingofit。
　　RalphReadethinaBookConcerningtheWellattheWorld’sEndFairlywrittenwasthatbook，withmanypicturestherein，themeaningofwhichRalphknewnot；butamongstthemwastheimageofthefairwomanwhomhehadholpenatthewant-waysofthewood，andbutfourdaysagowasthat，yetitseemedlongandlongtohim。
　　ThebooktoldnotmuchabouttheWellattheWorld’sEnd，butmuchittoldofacertainwomanwhomnomanthatsawhercouldforbeartolove：ofherittoldthaterewhileshedweltlonelyinthewildwoodthoughhowshecametherewasnotsaid
　　andhowaking’ssonfoundherthereandbroughthertohisfather’skingdomandweddedher，whetherotherswerelieforloth：
　　andinalittlewhile，whenthefameofherhadspread，hewasputoutofhiskingdomandhisfather’shousefortheloveofher，becauseotherkingsandlordshankeredafterher；
　　whereofbefellongandgrievouswarwhichsheabodenottotheend，butsoughttoheroldplaceinthewildwood；andhowshefoundthereanotherwomanasorceress，whomadeherherthrall；
　　andtormentedhergrievouslywithtoilandstripes。
　　AndhowagaintherecameaknighttothatplacewhowasseekingtheWellattheWorld’sEnd，andboreherawaywithhim；andhowthesaidknightwasslainontheway，andshewastakenbytyrantsandrobbersofthefolk：
　　butthesebeingentangledinherlovefoughtamongstthemselvesandsheescaped，andwentseekingthatWell，andfounditatthelonglast，anddrankthereof，andthroveeverafter：
　　andhowshelivethyet，andisbecometheservantoftheWelltoentangletheseekersinherloveandkeepthemfromdrinkingthereof；becausetherewasnomanthatbeheldher，butanonhewasthethrallofherlove，andmightnotpluckhisheartawayfromhertodoanyofthedeedswherebymenthriveandwinthepraiseofthepeople。
　　Ralphreadonandontilltheshortnightwaned，andthewax-lightsfailedoneaftertheother，andthewindowsofthehallgrewgreyanddaylightcame，andthethrostlesburstouta-singingatonceinthecastlepleasaunce，andthesuncameupoverthewood，andthesoundofmen-folkbestirringthemselvesa-fieldcametohisearsthroughtheopenwindows；andatlasthewasdonewiththetale，andthecarlinecamenotnearhimthoughthesunhadclombhighuptheheavens。
　　AsforRalph，whathehadreadwassweetpoisontohim；forifbeforehewassomewhattormentedbylove，nowwashisheartsickandsorewithit。
　　ThoughheknewnotforcertainwhetherthistalehadtodowiththeLadyoftheForest，andthoughheknewnotiftheLadywhoshouldcometothecastlewereevenshe，yetheneedsmustdeemthatsoitwas，andhisheartwaswearywithlove，andhismanhoodseemedchanged。
　　RalphMeetethaManintheWoodButthemorningbegantowearashesatdeepinthesethoughtsandstilltheCarlinecamenottohim；andhethought：
　　“SheleavethmealonethatImaydoherbidding：
　　sowillIwithouttarrying。”Andhearoseanddidonhishauberkandbasnet，andgirthisswordtohisside，andwentforth，a-footasbefore。Hecrossedtheriverbyawidefordandsteppingstonessomewhatbelowthepoolwhereinhehadbathedonthatfirstday；andalreadybythenhehadgotsofar，whatwiththefreshairofthebeauteousmorning，whatwiththecheerfultinklingofhisswordandhauberk，hewassomewhatamendedofhistroubleandheavinessofspirit。
　　Alittlewayacrosstheriver，butnighertothewood，wasahouseorcotofthatcountry-folk，andanoldwomansatspinninginthedoor。SoRalphwentupthither，andgreetedher，andcravedofheradraughtofmilk；sothegoodyturnedaboutandcriedouttoonewithin，andtherecameforthoneofthemaidenswhomRalphhadmetfishingthatotherday，andtheoldwomanbadeherbringforthmilkandbread。
　　ThenthecarlinelookedhardatRalph，andsaid：“Ah！Ihaveheardtellofthee：thouartabidingtheturnofthedaysupatthecastleyonder，asothershavedonebeforethee。
　　Well，well，belikethoushalthavethywish，thoughwhetheritshallbetothyprofit，whoshallsay？”
　　ThereatRalph’sheartfellagain，andhesaid：“Sayestthou，mother，thattherehavebeenothersabidinglikemeinthetower？
　　Iknownotwhatthywordsmean。”
　　Thecarlinelaughed。“Well。”saidshe，“herecomesthymorning’sbaitbornebyshapelyhandsenough；eatanddrinkfirst；
　　andthenwillItelltheemymeaning。”
　　Therewithcamethemaidenforthwiththebowlandtheloaf；
　　andindeedshewasfairenough，andshyandkind；butRalphheededherlittle，norwashisheartmovedbyheratall。
　　Shesetastoolforhimbesidethedoorandhesatdownandateanddrank，thoughhisheartwastroubled；andthemaidenhungabout，andseemedtofinditnoeasymattertokeephereyesoffhim。
　　Presentlythecarline，whohadbeenwatchingthetwo，said：
　　“Thouaskestofthemeaningofmywords；well，deemestthouthatI
　　havehadmorementhanonetoloveme？”“Iknownot，mother。”
　　saidRalph，whocouldscarceholdhimselfpatient。“Therenow！”
　　quoththecarline，“lookatmydamsel！sheisnotmydaughter，butmybrother’s，thereisaman，andabriskladtoo，whomshecallethherbatchelor，andisasIverilydeemwell-pleasedwithhim：
　　yetloyouhowsheeyeththee，thoufairman，anddothsowithherraimentthatthoumaystbestseehowshapelysheisoflimbandfoot，andtoyethherrighthandwithherleftwrist，andthelike——Well，asforme，Ihavehadmoreloversthanoneortwo。AndwhyhaveIhadjustsomanyandnomore？
　　Nay，thouneedestnotmakeanylonganswertome。
　　Iamoldnow，andevenbeforeIwasoldIwasnotyoung：
　　Iamnowfouloffavour，andevenbeforeIbecamefoul，Iwasnotsofair——wellthen？”
　　“Yea，whatthen？”saidRalph。“Thisthen，fairyoungfool。”saidshe：
　　“theonewhomthoulovest，longhathshelived，butsheisnotoldtolookon，norfoul；butfair——Ohowfair！”
　　ThenRalphforgothisfear，andhisheartgrewgreedyandhiseyesglistened，andhesaid，yethespokefaintly：
　　“Yea，isshefair？”“What！hastthounotseenher？”saidthecarline。
　　Ralphcalledtomindtheguiseinwhichhehadseenherandflushedbrightred，asheanswered：“Yea，IdeemthatIhave：
　　surelyitwasshe。”Thecarlinelaughed：“Well。”saidshe；
　　“howeverthouhastseenher，thouhastscarceseenherasIhave。”
　　SaidRalph，“Howwasthat？”Saidshe：“Itisherwayhereinthesummer-tidetobatheherinyonderpoolupthewater：“
　　anditwasthesamepoolwhereinRalphhadbathed“Andshehathmeandmynieceandtwootherwomentoholdupthesilkenclothbetwixtherbodyandtheworld；sothatIhaveseenherasGodmadeher；andIshalltelltheethatwhenhewasaboutthatworkhewasmindedtobeacraftsmaster；forthereisnoblemishaboutherthatsheshouldhideheratalloranywhere。
　　Hersidesaresleek，andherthighsnorougherthanherface，andherfeetasdaintyasherhands：yea，sheisapearlallover，withalsheisasstrongasaknight，andIwarrantherhardierofheartthanmostknights。Ahappymanshaltthoube；
　　forsurelyIdeemthouhastnotcomehithertoabideherwithoutsometokenorwarrantofher。”
　　Ralphhelddownhishead，andhecouldnotmeettheoldwoman’seyesasshespakethus；andthemaidentookherselfoutofearshotatthefirstwordsofthecarlinehereof，andwashalfwaydowntotheriverbynow。
　　Ralphspakeafterawhileandsaid：“Tellme，isshegood，andagoodwoman？”Thedamelaughedscornfullyandsaid：
　　“Surely，surely；sheisthesaintoftheForestLand，andtheguardianofallpoorfolk。Askthecarleselse！”
　　Ralphheldhispeace，androsetobegoneandturningsawthedamselwadingtheshallowford，andlookingoverhershoulderathim。
　　Hegavethedamegoodday，anddepartedlight-footbutheavyhearted。
　　Yetashewent，hekeptsayingtohimself：“DidshenotsendthatRogertoturnmywayshither？yetshecomethnot。Surelyshehathchangedintheselastdays，oritmaybeintheselasthours：
　　yea，orthisveryhour。”
　　Amidstsuchthoughtshecameintothewood，andmadehiswaybythepathsandopenplaces，goingsouthandeastoftheHouse：
　　Whereasthelastdayhehadgonewestandnorth。Hewentasoftpace，butwanderedonwithoutanystaytillitwasnoon，andhehadseennoughtbutthewildthingsofthewood，normanyofthem。
　　Butatlastheheardthetinkleofalittlebellcomingtowardshim：
　　sohestoodstillandgotthehiltofhisswordreadytohishand；
　　andthetinkledrewnearer，andheheardwithalthetrampleofsomeriding-beast；sohewenttowardthesound，andpresentlyinaclearerplaceofthewoodcameuponamanofreligion，aclerk，ridingonahackney，towhoseneckhungahorse-bell：
　　thepriesthadsaddlebagsbesidehimandcarriedinhisrighthandabookinabag。WhenhemetRalphheblessedhim，andRalphgavehimtheseleoftheday，andaskedhimwhitherhewould。
　　SaidthePriest：“IamfortheLittlePlainandtheLandofAbundance；whenceartthou，myson，andwhitherwiltthou？”
　　“FromthatverylandIcome。”saidRalph，“andastowhither，Iseekadventures；butunlessIseemorethanIhavethisforenoon，orthoucansttellmeofthem，backwillIwhenceIcame：
　　yettosaysooth，Ishallnotbesorryforafellowtohelpmeback，forthesewoodlandwaysaresome-whatblind。”
　　SaidthePriest：“Iwillbeartheecompanywithagoodwill；
　　andIknowtheroadrightwell；forIamtheVicarappointedbythefathersoftheThorntoservethechurchoftheLittlePlain，andthechapelofSt。Anthonyyonderinthewood，andto-dayI
　　gotothechurchofthegoodfolkthere。”
　　SoRalphturned，andwentalongwithhim，walkingbyhisbridle-rein。Andastheywentthepriestsaidtohim：“Artthouoneofmylady’slords？”
　　Ralphreddenedashesighed，andsaid：“Iamnocaptainofhers。”
　　Thensmiledthepriestandsaid：“ThenwillInotasktheeofthineerrand；
　　forbelikethouwouldestnottellmethereof。”
　　Ralphsaidnought，butwaxedshamefacedashedeemedthatthepriesteyedhimcuriously。Atlasthesaid：“Iwillasktheeaquestioninturn，father。”“Yea。”saidthepriest。
　　SaidRalph：“Thisladyoftheland，theLadyofAbundance，issheaverywoman？”“HolySaints！”quoththepriest，blessinghimself，“whatmeanestthou？”SaidRalph：
　　“Imean，issheofthosewhooutwardlyhaveawoman’ssemblance，butwithinareoftheraceoftheancientdevils，thegodsoftheGentiles？”
　　Thenthepriestcrossedhimselfagain，andspakeassolemnlyasajudgeonthebench：“Son，Ipraythatifthouartnotinthyrightmind，thouwillcomethereintoanon。Knowthis，thatwhateverelseshemaybe，sheisarightholywoman。