your slender limbs might not be equal to it. Now I have
learned to know you as a warrior who may long seek his match;
and God be praised if we still hold on in the same path, and
welcome our earliest meeting in the lists!"

But Edwald looked at him sorrowfully, and said, "What can my
skill and strength avail if they be tried against you, and for
the greatest earthly prize, which one of us alone can win?
Alas! I have long foreboded with a heavy heart the sad truth,
that you also are journeying to the tournament of the fair
Hildegardis."

"Edchen," answered Froda, with a smile, "my gentle, loving
youth, see you not that I already wear on my breastplate the
image of a liege lady? I strive but for renown in arms, and
not for your fair Hildegardis!"

"MY fair Hildegardis!" answered Edwald, with a sigh. "That
she is not, nor ever will be--or should she, ah! Froda, it
would pierce your heart. I know well the northland faith
is deep-rooted as your rocks, and hard to dissolve as their
summits of snow; but let no man think that he can look
unscathed into the eyes of Hildegardis. Has not she, the
haughty, the too haughty maiden, so bewitched my tranquil,
lowly mind, that I forget the gulf which lies between us, and
still pursue her; and would rather perish than renounce the
daring hope to win that eagle spirit for my own?"

"I will help you to it, Edchen," answered Froda, smiling
still. "Would that I knew how this all-conquering lady looks!