"And I?" asked Haco, moving near to her side.

"Away, son of Sweyn; thy feet trample the grave of the mighty dead!"

Then Hilda lingered no longer, but took her way towards the house.
Haco's eye followed her in silence. The cattle, grazing in the great
space of the crumbling peristyle, looked up as she passed; the watch-
dogs, wandering through the star-lit columns, came snorting round
their mistress. And when she had vanished within the house, Haco
turned to his steed:

"What matters," he murmured, "the answer which the Vala cannot or dare
not give? To me is not destined the love of woman, nor the ambition
of life. All I know of human affection binds me to Harold; all I know
of human ambition is to share in his fate. This love is strong as
hate, and terrible as doom,--it is jealous, it admits no rival. As
the shell and the sea-weed interlaced together, we are dashed on the
rushing surge; whither? oh, whither?"




CHAPTER IV.


"I tell thee, Hilda," said the Earl, impatiently, "I tell thee that I
renounce henceforth all faith save in Him whose ways are concealed
from our eyes. Thy seid and thy galdra have not guarded me against
peril, nor armed me against sin. Nay, perchance--but peace: I will no