A horn's shrill challenge; a sound of voices, and below them opened a great, green hollow, shady with trees beneath whose shade were huts of wattle cunningly wrought, a brook that flowed sparkling, and beyond caves hollowed in the steepy bank.
“How now, Tanner Will,” questioned Jocelyn, “hast brought us to the outlaw's refuge?”
“Not so, good friend-Fool, not outlaws, foresters we of Duke Pertinax, and yonder, look 'ee, cometh Rob—Sir Robert to greet ye!” And the Tanner pointed where one came running, a man long of leg, long of arm and very bright of eye, a goodly man clad in hood and jerkin of neat's leather as aforetime, only now his bugle swung from baldrick of gold and silver and in his hood was brooched a long scarlet feather.
“What brother!” cried he joyously. “By saint Nicholas, 'tis sweet to see thee again, thou lovely Fool!” And he clasped Jocelyn in brotherly embrace, which done, he stood off and shook doleful head. “Alas, brother!” quoth he. “Alas! my prisoner art thou this day, wherefor I grieve, and wherefor I know not save that it is by my lady Benedicta's strict command and her I must obey.” And now, turning to Yolande, he bared his head, louting full low. “Lady,” quoth he, “by thy rare and so great beauty I do know thee for Yolande the Fair, so do we of the wild give thee humble greeting. Here may'st thou rest awhile ere we bring thee to Canalise.”
“But, messire,” answered Yolande, clasping Jocelyn's hand, “no mind have I to go to Canalise.”
“Then alack for me, fair lady, for needs must I carry thee there within the hour along of my motley brother. Meanwhile here within yon bower thou shalt find cushions to thy repose, and all things to thy comfort and refreshment.”
“O Sir Robert! O for a comb!” she sighed.
“Expectant it waiteth thee, lady, together with water cool, sweet-perfumed essences, unguents and other nice, lady-like toys. Moreover, there be mirrors two of Venice and in pretty coffer—” But Yolande had vanished.
Hereupon Robin led the way into a cool, arras-hung cave where was table set out with divers comfortable things both eatable and drinkable.
Quoth Jocelyn, hunger and thirst appeased: “And now good Robin, what do these envoys from Brocelaunde? Why am I thy prisoner and wherefore must I to Canalise?”