“Hunting within the forest, good my lord: but you surprise me, asking me of them. One fain would say that you did know them all; and yet, methinks, I ne'er have seen yourself.”
“Sweet damsel, yea, and that few days agone. 'Twas at your father's, Augier's good house, where I, at need, so courteously was served by you and all of yours.”
“Blest be the hour, gentle lord and knight, you harboured 'neath our roof; and we, how happy to have you for guest!”
“By this you see, my fair and courteous maid, how meet it is that we should service do, even to those unknown. One knows not who shall go or who shall come, they who do hold or they who hold them not, or what the future keeps for us in store. Well it becomes us, then, to render help where help we can; welcome with courtesy, and honour guests with shelter and with food, whom chance may send us as they onward go.”
“And where, Sir Jaufry,” then inquired the maid, “if I may ask, do you direct your steps?”
“I will explain as we do ride along. But I must haste: time presses; and e'en now I greatly fear me I shall come too late.”
