"Foster-
brother, how comes it that you do not follow my example and embrace the bride
that I have given you?"
As ice breaks and reveals sullen waters underneath, so stolidity broke in
Rothgar's face. With a harsh laugh, he strode forward.
Perhaps it was to follow the King's suggestion, perhaps it was only to vent
his reproaches; but Randalin did not wait to see. Before she knew how she got
there, she was at Elfgiva's side, clutching at her mantle.
"Lady! You promised me--" she cried.
And for all her chiming laughter, Elfgiva's silken arm was stretched out like
a bar. "No further, good Giant!" she said gayly. "The King gave what was not
his, for this toy has become mine." She turned to Canute with a little play of
smiling pouts, very bewitching on such lips. "Fie, my lord! Be pleased to call
your wolves off my lambs."
Plainly, Canute's frown was unable to withstand such witcheries. Despite
himself he laughed, and his voice was more persuasive than commanding. "Now he
will not rob you of the girl, my Shining One. Once he has wedded her, you may
keep her until you tire. It was only because--"
But there he stopped, for all at once a mist had come over the heavenly eyes,
and the smiling lips had drawn themselves into a trembling bunch. The sweet
voice too was subtly tremulous.
"It is because you are to a greater degree anxious to please him than me,
though it is a whole year that I have pined away, day and night, in the utmost
loneliness.
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