And the Maid stood there yet silent, for she might not yet command her mouth to speak.  And she trembled as she stood.  And I opened my left hand, and lookt at the hand within my palm, and surely it was utter thin and wasted.  And I made no more pause, but lifted mine Own and set her easy upon the earth, with an hump of smooth rock unto her back.  And I stript off my cloak very quick, and put it about her, for she was scarce covered with her clothes that had been all torn among the bushes; so that part she shook with an utter chill, and part because of weakness, for she was nigh to be starved unto her death, and destroyed with her grief and lonesomeness.

And I took from my back the scrip and the pouch, and I gat a tablet from the scrip, and brake it into my cup, and with the water I made a little broth very swift upon an hot rock that was to the edge of the fire-hole.  And I fed the broth unto the Maid, for truly her hands did shake so that she had spilt it all, if that I had done otherwise.

And she drank the broth, and was so weak that presently she did fall again to sobbing, yet very quiet; so that I strove not to be troubled in the heart; for, indeed, this thing was but reasonable, and not cause for me to have an anxiousness.  But I put my hands under the cloak and took her hands into mine and held them strong and firm; and this did seem to bring something of peace and strength unto her; so that presently the trembling and the weeping went from her.  And, indeed, the broth was surely helpful in this matter.

And presently, I knew that her hands did stir a little within mine, and I loosed somewhat of my grip; and immediately, she graspt my hands with a weak and gentle grasp; but lookt not yet at me; only did stay very quiet, as that she did gather her strength within her.  And, indeed, I was content; save that an anxiousness of the heart did stir me this time and that, lest some monster should come upon us.  And because of this trouble, I did hark about me, now and oft, and with a new and strange fearfulness of danger, because that now mine Own was given unto my charge; and surely my heart would break, if that there came any hurt unto her.

Now, of a sudden, the Maid did make as that she would rise, and I loosed free from her, to give help.  And she gat me by the hand, and slipt sudden to her knees, and did kiss my hand, and did begin again to weep.  And surely I was so utter abashed that I stood very stupid and let her do this thing.  But in a moment I drew free from her; for this thing might not be.  And I gat me to my knee likewise before her, and took her hands, and kist them once, newly humbled, as it were; and thus should she know all that was in my heart, and of mine understanding.  And she did but sob the more; for she was so weak, and utter moved unto me, because that I had come to her through the night of the world.  And this thing I knew, though no speech had yet past between us.  And I gave up her hands, lest she need them for her tears; but she left them to lie in my palms, as she did kneel there; and she bowed her head a little over her weeping; but did show that she was mine, in verity, unto the very essence of her dear spirit.