If he should still keep that opinion--I would
prefer to die!" she ended abruptly.
But the King's wife laughed her rippling laughter that had in it all the music
of falling waters. "Shed no tears over that, ladybird! Would I be apt to let
such an odious bear as Rothgar Lodbroksson rob me of my newest plaything?
Whence to my dulness a pastime but for your help? Though he were the King's
blood-brother, he should tell for naught. You do not guess half the
entertainment your wild ways will be to me. I expect it will be more pleasant
for me to have you than that Norman ape which Canute sent me at the beginning
of the summer,--which is dead now, unfortunately, because Harald would insist
upon shooting his arrows into it. There! Now my work could not be improved
upon." Again she moved back, her beautiful head tilted in birdlike
examination. Randalin arose slowly and stood before her with widening eyes.
But it was not long that the Lady of Northampton had for her or for the
wreath. Now her attention was attracted to the farthest group of guards and
huntsmen, whose motions and shouting seemed to indicate some unusual
commotion. Bending, she peered curiously under the branches. "I wonder if it
has happened that the King has sent someone to meet us?" she exclaimed. "I see
a gleam of scarlet, lady," the maiden of the riverbank came to tell her
eagerly.
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