three hours after noon
had it not been for thy word we would have had her whipped into the wild-wood , and hanged up on to a tree thereafter . '' Then Aloyse knelt before Goldilind and kissed her feet , and wept , and drew back pale and trembling . But Goldilind shook her rein once for all now , and her apple-grey horse went forth with her ; Christopher came after , leading the sumpter beast , and forth they went , and passed over the open green about the Castle , and came on to the woodland way whereby Goldilind had fled that other time . They rode in silence a good way , and it was some three hours after noon , and the day as fair and bright as might be . Christopher held his peace for sweet shame that he was alone with a most fair maid , and she his own , and without defence against him . But she amidst of her silence turned , now red , and now somewhat pale , and now and again she looked somewhat askance on him , and he deemed her looks were no kinder than they should be . At last she spake , yet not looking on him , and said : `` So , Forester , now is done what I must needs do : thy life is saved , and I am quit of Greenharbour , and its prison , and its torments : whither away then ? ''