deep pang within you that you serve a lady so withdrawn from
you--alas! a lady who is almost ever invisible?"

"No, Edwald, not so," answered Froda, his eyes sparkling with
happiness. "For well I know that she scorns not my service;
she has even deigned sometimes to appear to me. Oh, I am in
truth a happy knight and minstrel!"

"And yet your silence to-day--your troubled yearnings?"

"Not troubled, dear Edchen; only so heartfelt, so fervent in
the depth of my heart--and so strangely mysterious to myself
withal. But this, with all belonging to me, springs alike
from the words and commands of Aslauga. How, then, can it be
otherwise than something good and fair, and tending to a high
and noble aim?"

A squire, who had hastened after them, announced that the
knightly bridegroom was expected for the torch-dance, and as
they returned, Edwald entreated his friend to take his place
in the solemn dance next to him and Hildegardis. Froda
inclined his head in token of friendly assent.


The horns and hautboys had already sounded their solemn
invitation; Edwald hastened to give his hand to his fair
bride; and while he advanced with her to the midst of the
stately hall, Froda offered his hand for the torch-dance to a
noble lady who stood the nearest to him, without farther
observing her, and took with her the next place to the wedded