CHAPTERXVIII：THEMAIDGIVESWALTERTRYST
Now，onthemorrow，whenWalterwasawake，hefoundtherewasnoonelyingbesidehim，andthedaywasnolongerveryyoung;sohearose，andwentthroughthegardenfromendtoend，andallabout，andtherewasnonethere;andalbeitthathedreadedtomeettheLadythere，yetwashesadatheartandfearfulofwhatmightbetide。
Howsoever，hefoundthegatewherebytheyhadenteredyesterday，andhewentoutintothelittledale;butwhenhehadgoneasteportwoheturnedabout，andcouldseeneithergardennorfence，noranysignofwhathehadseenthereofbutlately。Heknithisbrowandstoodstilltothinkofit，andhisheartgrewtheheavierthereby;
butpresentlyhewenthiswaysandcrossedthestream，buthadscarcecomeupontothegrassonthefurtherside，erehesawawomancomingtomeethim，andatfirst，fullashewasofthetideofyesterdayandthewondrousgarden，deemedthatitwouldbetheLady;butthewomanstayedherfeet，and，stooping，laidahandonherrightankle，andhesawthatitwastheMaid。Hedrewanightoher，andsawthatshewasnoughtsosadofcountenanceasthelasttimeshehadmethim，butflushedofcheekandbright—eyed。
Ashecameuptohershemadeasteportwotomeethim，holdingouthertwohands，andthenrefrainedher，andsaidsmiling：\"Ah，friend，belikethisshallbethelasttimethatIshallsaytothee，touchmenot，nay，notsomuchasmyhand，orifitwerebutthehemofmyraiment。\"