So did he, and led her by all the softest and most flowery
ways, turning about the end of a spur of the little hill
that came close to the water, and going close to the lip of
the river. And when they had thus turned about the hill
there was a somewhat wider vale before them, grassy and
fair, and on a knoll, not far from the water, a long
frame-house thatched with reed.

Then said Christopher: "Lady, this is now Littledale, and
yonder the house thereof."

She said quietly: "Lovely is the dale, and fair the house
by seeming, and I would that they may be happy that dwell
therein!"

Said Christopher: "Wilt thou not speak that blessing within
the house as without?"

"Fain were I thereof," she said. And therewith they came
into the garth, wherein the apple trees were blossoming, and
Goldilind spread abroad her hands and lifted up her head for
joy of the sight and the scent, and they stayed awhile
before they went on to the door, which was half open, for
they feared none in that place, and looked for none whom
they might not deal with if he came as a foe.

Christopher would have taken a hand of her to lead her in,
but both hands were in her gown to lift up the hem as she
passed over the threshold; so he durst not.