about three
hours after noon
And therewith she louted down from her saddle , and they kissed together sweetly , and so thereafter wore the way . So came they to the plain of Hazeldale , which was a wide valley with a middling river winding about it , the wild-wood at its back toward the Tofts , and in front down-land nought wooded , save here and there a tree nigh a homestead or cot ; for that way the land was builded for a space . Forsooth it was not easy for the folk thereabout to live quietly , but if they were friends in some wise to Jack of the Tofts . So when the company of the Tofts came out into the dale about three hours after noon , it was no wonder to them to see men riding and going to and fro , and folk pitching tents and raising booths nigh to the cover of the wood ; and when the coming of the Toft-folk was seen , and the winding of their horns heard , there was many a glad cry raised in answer , and many an horn blown , and all men there came running together toward where now was stayed Jack of the Tofts and Christopher and their men . Then Goldilind bade Christopher help her light down ; so he took her in his arms , and was not over hasty in setting her down again . But when she stood by him , she looked over the sunny field darkened by the folk hastening over the greensward , and her eyes glittered and her cheek flushed , and she said : `` Lord King , be these some others of thy men ? '' `` Yea , sweetling , '' said he , `` to live and die with me . ''