And I should like to
believe that some woman loves some man as you say you love this Englishman."
Out of the very wishfulness of his voice, a terrible menace spoke: "I should
like it so much that I shall neither spare you in word nor deed if you have
deceived me!" Then once more his manner softened. "Yet my mind feels a kind of
faith toward you. I shall try you, to make sure, but until you have proved
that you are unworthy of it, I will not keep you out of my friendship."
Drawing off his glove, he stretched forth his hand. "You may find that a man's
harshness is little worse than a woman's guile," he said bitterly.
Dimly guessing what was in his mind, she dared not trust herself to words but
told her gratitude with her eyes, as she returned his clasp. Then he sent her
back by the one semblance of a path which ran through the forest, and himself
rode on to his hunters.
Chapter XXI
With The Jotun as Chamberlain
All doorways,
Before going forward,
Should be looked to;
For difficult it is to know
Where foes may sit
Within a dwelling.
Ha'vama'l.
Once more, Lord Sebert, be exhorted to turn back," old Morcard spurred forward
to offer a last remonstrance as city gates yawned before them. "Even if the
message be genuine, you are putting your life in peril. If men speak rightly,
Gloucester Town is no better than a camp of carousing Danes.
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