Now, as she went in that garden with her face turned toward thepostern which led into the open space of the greenwood, which was buttwo bow-shots from the thicket, she heard the clatter of horse-hoofs on theloose stones of the path, and how they stopped at the said postern; andpresently there was a key in the lock, the door opened, and a man came inwalking stiffly, like a rider who has ridden far and fast. He was clad injack and sallet, and had a sword by his side, and on his sleeve was done ingreen and gold a mountain aflame; so that Goldilind knew him at once fora man of Earl Geoffrey's; and, indeed, she had seen the man before,coming and going on errands that she knew nought of, and on whichnothing followed that was of import to her. Therefore, as she watchedhim cross the garden and go straight up to the door of the Foresters' Tower,and take out another key and enter, she heeded him but little, nor did hiscoming increase her trouble a whit.
She walked on toward the postern, and now she saw that the errand-bearer had left it open behind him, and when she came close up to it, shesaw his horse tied to a ring in the wall, a strong and good bay nag. Thesight of him, and the glimpse of the free and open land, stirred in her themisery of her days and the yearning for the loveliness of the world without,converse of friends, hope of the sufficiency of desire, and the sweetness oflove returned. And so strong a wave of anguish swept over her, that shebowed her down upon the grass and wept bitterly. Yet but a little while itlasted; she rose up presently and looked warily all round her, and up to theCastle, and saw none stirring; she drew up the skirts of her green gowninto her girdle, till the hem but just hid her knees; then she stepped lightlythrough the half-open door with flushed cheeks and glittering eyes, whileher heart rose within her; then she lifted her hand, unhitched the reins fromthe iron ring, and quietly led the horse close under the garth-wall, andstole gently up the slope which, as all roads from the Castle, wentstraightway toward the thicket, but this was the straightest. So she went, till she came to the corner of the garth-wall, and a little further; and theCastle on that side was blind, save for the swale on the battlement,whereon in that deep peace was little going; and, moreover, it was noteven yet six o'clock.