“Husband, I pray and require of you a gift.”

“Wife,” he replied, “ask, and I will give it you, if by any means I can.”

“Husband,” she said, “I require leave to come with you on this errand and journey.”

When Messire Thibault heard this thing he was right sorrowful, and said,

“Wife, grievous would be the journey to your body, for the way is very long, and the land right strange and perilous.”

Said she,

“Husband, be not in doubt because of me.  You shall be more hindered of your squire than of your wife.”

“Dame,” said he, “as God wills and as you wish.”

The days went, and these tidings were so noised abroad that the Count of Ponthieu heard thereof.  He commanded my lord Sir Thibault to his house, and said,

“Thibault, you are a vowed pilgrim, as I hear, and my daughter too!”

“Sir,” answered he, “that is verily and truly so.”

“Thibault,” replied the Count, “as to yourself what pleases you is to my mind also, but concerning my daughter that is another matter.”

“Sir,” made answer Sir Thibault, “go she must, and I cannot deny her.”

“Since this is so,” said the Count, “part when you will.  Make ready for the road your steeds, your palfreys, and the pack horses, and I will give you riches and gear enough for the journey.”

“Sir,” said Messire Thibault, “thanks and gramercy.”

Thus these pilgrims arrayed them, and sought that shrine with marvellous joy.  They fared so speedily upon the way, that at length they came near to my lord St. James, by less than two days faring.  That night they drew to a goodly town.  After they had eaten in the hostel, Sir Thibault called for the host and inquired of him the road for the morrow, how it ran, and whether it were smooth.

“Fair sir,” replied the innkeeper to the knight, “at the gate of this town you will find a little wood.  Beyond the wood a strong smooth road runs for the whole day’s journey.”

Hearing this they asked no more questions, but the beds being laid down, they went to their rest.  The morrow broke full sweetly.  The pilgrims rose lightly from their beds as soon as it was day, and made much stir and merriment.  Sir Thibault rose also, since he might not sleep, but his head was heavy.  He therefore called his chamberlain, and said,

“Rise quickly, and bid the company to pack the horses and go their way.  Thou shalt remain with me, and make ready our harness, for I am a little heavy and disquieted.”

The chamberlain made known to the sergeants the pleasure of their lord, so that presently they took the road.  In no great while Messire Thibault and his dame got them from the bed, and arraying their persons, followed after their household.  The chamberlain folded the bed linen, and it was yet but dawn, though warm and fair.  The three went forth through the gate of the city, those three together, with no other companion save God alone, and drew near to the forest.  When they came close they found two roads, the one good, the other ill; so that Sir Thibault said to his chamberlain,