I must need force the words from you."

At a loss now the lad could not answer. For the girl had better of him
because of her quick tongue and he found she twisted his words and
meaning to suit her taste. Yet finally, she turned the talk and so
Allan found himself telling her of his high hopes. So simply too,
without boasting, he told her of the fine words of Arthur to him. And
last, because it had made its deep impress upon him, he spoke of
Merlin's dream. And of this Yosalinde, now serious and wide eyed,
questioned him closely, and soon knew all that he did.

So now Percival uprose and made ready to return to his duties. So
therefore, too, did Allan, and found he now felt more at ease and
without constraint of the girl.

"I _like_ you, Allan, and I say it though I should make it harder
for you to know, than it was for me. I give you my friendship and if
it help you, take this ring and wear it. May it serve you in time of
stress. And at all times consider it token of your lady."

And then once again the laughing, teasing minx, she, added:

"Yet, after all, you are but a boy and I am no less a girl. Yet, let
us make-believe, you a bold knight and I your lady. Mayhap it may be
true some day."

So she was gone now to her mother leaving Allan with stirred feelings
and somewhat in a dream, too. For Sir Percival had to call twice to
him before he mounted his own horse. And even as they both made their
way, he turned his head back to see if he could perceive aught of this