But when good food was set before him he seemed to forget to eat . So Peter perceived that what ailed his guest was sorrow of heart , and asked him kindly to tell him his story . ` Where is the good , father ? ' said he . ` You can give me neither help nor comfort . ' ` Who knows ? ' answered Master Peter . ' I might be able to do something for you . Often enough in life help comes to us from the most unexpected quarter . ' The young man , thus encouraged , began his tale . ' I am , ' said he , ' a crossbow-man in the service of a noble count , in whose castle I was brought up . Not long ago my master went on a journey , and brought back with him , amongst other treasures , the portrait of a fair maiden so sweet and lovely that I lost my heart at first sight of it , and could think of nothing but how I might seek her out and marry her . The count had told me her name , and where she lived , but laughed at my love , and absolutely refused to give me leave to go in search of her , so I was forced to run away from the castle by night . I soon reached the little town where the maiden dwelt ; but there fresh difficulties awaited me . She lived under the care of her mother , who was so severe that she was never allowed to look out of the window , or set her foot outside the door alone , and how to make friends with her I did not know . But at last I dressed myself as an old woman , and knocked boldly at her door . The lovely maiden herself opened it , and so charmed me that I came near forgetting my disguise ; but I soon recovered my wits , and begged her to work a fine table-cloth for me , for she is reported to be the best needlewoman in all the country round . Now I was free to go and see her often under the presence of seeing how the work was going oil , and one day , when her mother had gone to the town , I ventured to throw off my disguise , and tell her of my love . She was startled at first ; but I persuaded her to listen to me , and I soon saw that I was not displeasing to her , though she scolded me gently for my disobedience to my master , and my deceit in disguising myself . But when I begged her to marry me , she told me sadly that her mother would scorn a penniless wooer , and implored me to go away at once , lest trouble should fall upon her .
` Bitter as it was to me , I was forced XXXXX go when she bade me , and I have wandered about ever since , with grief gnawing at my heart ; for how can a masterless man , without money or goods , ever hope to win the lovely Lucia ? '
before for lest near of that to under upon with