treasures of your knowledge? And yet I think you must have
many a choice history at your command, even such as that which
now lies open before you; for I see rich and bright pictures
of knights and ladies painted amongst the letters."

"It is, indeed, the most surpassing and enchanting history in
all the world," said Froda; "but you have neither patience nor
thoughtfulness to listen to our wonderful legends of the
north."

"Why think you so?" answered Hildegardis, with that pride
which she rejoiced to display towards Froda, when she could
find courage to do so; and, placing herself on a stone seat
opposite, she commanded him at once to read something to her
out of that fair book.

Froda began, and in the very effort which he made to change
the old heroic speech of Iceland into the German tongue, his
heart and mind were stirred more fervently and solemnly. As
he looked up from time to time, he beheld the countenance of
Hildegardis beaming in ever-growing beauty with joy, wonder,
and interest; and the thought passed through his mind whether
this could indeed be his destined bride, to whom Aslauga
herself was guiding him.

Then suddenly the characters became strangely confused; it
seemed as if the pictures began to move, so that he was
obliged to stop. While he fixed his eyes with a strong effort
upon the book, endeavouring to drive away this strange
confusion, he heard a well-known sweetly solemn voice, which