When we set the peace between us, we exchanged ornaments
and weapons. Think if we had followed the custom in every respect and
exchanged garments likewise!"
Elf-fires were in Elfgiva's blue eyes when she raised them to his. "Rule your
words so that no one else hears you say that, bright Lord of the Danes," she
murmured, "lest they think you mean by it that the English crown would fit you
as loosely, and forget that you are a boy who will grow." The King's mouth
sobered.
"Nay, a man, who has got his growth."
Her little hand spurned the ring that the instant before it had caressed. "Not
a man, but a King!" she reminded him, and drew herself up proudly before him,
a queen in beauty, crowned with the sun's gold.
His eyes devoured her; his breath seemed to come faster as he looked. All at
once he caught her hands and crushed them against his lips. "Neither man nor
king," he cried, "but the lover who has adored you since he came to plunder
but stayed to woo! Do you know that when I came upon you to-day, my heart
burst into flower as a tree blooms in the spring-time? Had I a harp in my
hand, my lips would blossom into song. Get me one from your minstrels, and I
will sing to you as we ride, and we will forget that a day has passed since
the time when first we roved together through the Northampton meadows."
Forgetful of all the world beside, he led her away toward the horses.
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