Then, as she cast it from her, she stretched her arms out in a cross,
with the palms of her hands wide open, and all men saw them fresh and
clean and cold. Seeing that great sight the kings and the barons and
the people stood for a moment silent, then they stirred together and
they praised God loudly all around.
PART THE THIRD
THE LITTLE FAIRY BELL
When Tristan had come back to Orri's hut, and had loosened his heavy
pilgrim's cape, he saw clearly in his heart that it was time to keep
his oath to King Mark and to fly the land.
Three days yet he tarried, because he could not drag himself away from
that earth, but on the fourth day he thanked the woodman, and said to
Gorvenal:
"Master, the hour is come."
And he went into Wales, into the land of the great Duke Gilain, who
was young, powerful, and frank in spirit, and welcomed him nobly as a
God-sent guest.
And he did everything to give him honour and joy; but he found that
neither adventure, nor feast could soothe what Tristan suffered.
One day, as he sat by the young Duke's side, his spirit weighed upon
him, so that not knowing it he groaned, and the Duke, to soothe him,
ordered into his private room a fairy thing, which pleased his eyes
when he was sad and relieved his own heart; it was a dog, and the
varlets brought it in to him, and they put it upon a table there.
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