Latest / Bridal Wreath / 018 - Book 2 Chapter 6

Transcript

018 - Book 2 Chapter 6 · Bridal Wreath

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Book two, Chapter six of The Bridal Wreath by Sigared Unset.
• 0:04
  Speaker 1: This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter six afterwards.
• 0:10
  Speaker 1: There was much in what brother Edvon had said to
• 0:12
  Speaker 1: her that Kristen could not call to mind, But she
• 0:16
  Speaker 1: left him with a mind strangely clear and peaceful. Hitherto
• 0:20
  Speaker 1: she had striven with a dull, secret fear and tried
• 0:24
  Speaker 1: to brave it out, telling herself she had not sinned
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: so deeply. Now she felt Edvon had shown her plainly
• 0:32
  Speaker 1: and clearly that she had sinned. Indeed, such and such
• 0:37
  Speaker 1: was her sin, and she must take it upon her
• 0:40
  Speaker 1: and try to bear it meekly and well. She strove
• 0:44
  Speaker 1: to think of ere long without impatience, either because he
• 0:48
  Speaker 1: did not send word of himself, or because she must
• 0:52
  Speaker 1: want his caresses. She would only be faithful and full
• 0:56
  Speaker 1: of love for him. She thought of her father and mother,
• 1:01
  Speaker 1: and vowed to herself that she would requite them for
• 1:04
  Speaker 1: all their love, once they had got over the sorrow
• 1:07
  Speaker 1: she must bring upon them by breaking with the different
• 1:11
  Speaker 1: folk and well Diy. Most of all, she thought of
• 1:14
  Speaker 1: brother Edvon's words of how she must not seek comfort
• 1:17
  Speaker 1: in looking on others faults, she felt she grew humble
• 1:22
  Speaker 1: and kind, and now she saw at once how easy
• 1:25
  Speaker 1: it was for her to win folks friendship. Then she
• 1:29
  Speaker 1: was comforted by the thought that, after all, twas not
• 1:32
  Speaker 1: so hard to come to a good understanding with people,
• 1:35
  Speaker 1: And so it seemed to her it surely could not
• 1:37
  Speaker 1: be so hard for her and Erlon either. Until the
• 1:41
  Speaker 1: day she gave her word to Erlon, she had always
• 1:44
  Speaker 1: driven earnestly to do what was right and good, but
• 1:48
  Speaker 1: she had done all at the bidding of others. Now
• 1:52
  Speaker 1: she felt she had grown from maid to woman. Twas
• 1:56
  Speaker 1: not only by reason of the fervent secret carescers she
• 2:00
  Speaker 1: had taken and given, not only that she had passed
• 2:03
  Speaker 1: from her father's ward and was now under Erlan's will.
• 2:08
  Speaker 1: For Edvon had laid upon her the burden of answering
• 2:11
  Speaker 1: for her own life i and for herlans too, and
• 2:15
  Speaker 1: she was willing to bear it well and bravely. Thus
• 2:20
  Speaker 1: she went about among the nuns at Yuletide and throughout
• 2:23
  Speaker 1: the goodly rites and the joy and peace of the
• 2:26
  Speaker 1: holy time. Though she felt herself unworthy, yet she took
• 2:31
  Speaker 1: comfort in thinking that the time would soon come when
• 2:34
  Speaker 1: she could set herself right again. But the second day
• 2:38
  Speaker 1: of the new year, Sir Andre Stara, with his wife
• 2:41
  Speaker 1: and all five children, came, all unlooked for, to the convent.
• 2:45
  Speaker 1: They were come to keep the last days of Yuletide
• 2:48
  Speaker 1: with their friends and kindred in the town, and they
• 2:51
  Speaker 1: asked that Christen might have leave to be with them
• 2:54
  Speaker 1: in their lodging for a short space. For methought, my
• 2:58
  Speaker 1: daughter said, Lady Anoid, you would scarce be loath to
• 3:02
  Speaker 1: see a few new faces. For a time the different
• 3:06
  Speaker 1: folk dwelt in a goodly house that stood in a
• 3:09
  Speaker 1: dwelling place nearer the bishop's palace. Sir Andrea's cousin owned it.
• 3:14
  Speaker 1: There was a great hall where the serving folk slept,
• 3:16
  Speaker 1: and a fine loft room with a fireplace of masonry,
• 3:20
  Speaker 1: and three good beds. In the one, Sir Andres and
• 3:23
  Speaker 1: Lady Ongard slept with their youngest son, Goodmund, who was
• 3:27
  Speaker 1: yet a child. In another slept Christen and their two daughters,
• 3:31
  Speaker 1: Astrid and Sigrid, and in the third Simon and his
• 3:34
  Speaker 1: elder brother Girt Andersen. All Sir Andre's children were comely,
• 3:39
  Speaker 1: Simon the least so, yet he too was reckoned to
• 3:43
  Speaker 1: be well favored, and Kristin marked still more than when
• 3:47
  Speaker 1: she was at different the year before that. Both his
• 3:50
  Speaker 1: father and mother, and his four brothers and sisters hearkened
• 3:53
  Speaker 1: most to Simon and did all he would have them.
• 3:57
  Speaker 1: They all loved each other dearly, but all agreed without
• 4:02
  Speaker 1: grudging or envy, in setting Simon foremost amongst them. Here
• 4:07
  Speaker 1: these good folk lived a merry, care free life. They
• 4:11
  Speaker 1: visited the churches and made their offerings every day, came
• 4:15
  Speaker 1: together with their friends, and drank in their company each evening,
• 4:18
  Speaker 1: while the young folk had full leave to play and dance.
• 4:23
  Speaker 1: All showed Christen the greatest kindness, and none seemed to
• 4:27
  Speaker 1: mark how little glad she was. Of an evening, when
• 4:31
  Speaker 1: the light had been put out in the loft room
• 4:33
  Speaker 1: and all had sought their beds, Simon was wont to
• 4:36
  Speaker 1: get up and go to where the maidens lay. He
• 4:39
  Speaker 1: would sit awhile on the edge of the bed. His
• 4:41
  Speaker 1: talk was mostly to his sisters, but in the dark
• 4:44
  Speaker 1: he would let his hand rest on Christen's bosom while
• 4:48
  Speaker 1: she lay there, hot with wrath. Now that her sense
• 4:52
  Speaker 1: of such things was keener, she understood well that there
• 4:56
  Speaker 1: were many things Simon was both too proud and too
• 4:59
  Speaker 1: shy to say to her, since he saw she had
• 5:02
  Speaker 1: no mind to such talk from him, And she felt
• 5:05
  Speaker 1: strangely bitter and angry with him, for it seemed to
• 5:09
  Speaker 1: her as though he would fain be a better man
• 5:12
  Speaker 1: than he who had made her his own, even though
• 5:16
  Speaker 1: Simon knew not there was such a one. But one night,
• 5:20
  Speaker 1: when they had been dancing at another house, Astrid and
• 5:23
  Speaker 1: Siegrid were left behind there to sleep with a playmate.
• 5:26
  Speaker 1: When late at night the different folk had gone to
• 5:29
  Speaker 1: rest in their loft room, Simon came to Christin's bed
• 5:33
  Speaker 1: and climbed up into it. He laid himself down above
• 5:36
  Speaker 1: the fur cover. Christin pulled the coverlet up to her
• 5:40
  Speaker 1: chin and crossed her arms firmly upon her breast. In
• 5:44
  Speaker 1: a little, Simon tried to put his hand upon her bosom.
• 5:47
  Speaker 1: She felt the silk embroidery on his wristband and knew
• 5:50
  Speaker 1: he had not taken off any of his clothes. You
• 5:53
  Speaker 1: are just as bashful in the dark as in the light, Christin,
• 5:57
  Speaker 1: said Simon, laughing a little. Surely you can at least
• 6:01
  Speaker 1: let me have one hand to hold, he said, and
• 6:05
  Speaker 1: Christin gave him the tips of her fingers. Think you not,
• 6:08
  Speaker 1: we should have somewhat to talk of. And when it
• 6:11
  Speaker 1: so falls out that we can be alone a little while,
• 6:14
  Speaker 1: said he, and Kristen thought now was the time for
• 6:18
  Speaker 1: her to speak, so she answered yes, but after that
• 6:23
  Speaker 1: she could not utter a word. May I come under
• 6:27
  Speaker 1: the fur? He begged? Again? Tis cold in the room now?
• 6:32
  Speaker 1: And he slipped in between the fur coverlet and the
• 6:35
  Speaker 1: woolen blanket she had next to her. He bent one
• 6:38
  Speaker 1: arm round the bed head, but so that he did
• 6:41
  Speaker 1: not touch her. Thus they lay awhile. You are not
• 6:45
  Speaker 1: over easy to woo in faith, said Simon soon after,
• 6:49
  Speaker 1: with a resigned laugh. Ah, now I pledge you my word.
• 6:53
  Speaker 1: I will not so much as kiss you if you
• 6:55
  Speaker 1: would not, I should. But surely you can speak to
• 6:58
  Speaker 1: me at least. Christen wet her lips with the tip
• 7:02
  Speaker 1: of her tongue, but still she was silent. Nay, if
• 7:05
  Speaker 1: you are not lying there, trembling went on Simon. Surely
• 7:09
  Speaker 1: it cannot be that you have aught against me, Christen.
• 7:14
  Speaker 1: She felt she could not lie to Simon, so she
• 7:17
  Speaker 1: said no, but nothing more. Simon lay awhile longer. He
• 7:22
  Speaker 1: tried to get her into talk with him, but At
• 7:25
  Speaker 1: last he laughed again and said, I see, well, you
• 7:29
  Speaker 1: think I should be content with hearing that you have
• 7:31
  Speaker 1: nought against me for tonight, and be glad to boot
• 7:36
  Speaker 1: tis a parlous thing, so proud as you are. Yet
• 7:39
  Speaker 1: one kiss you must give me, then will I go
• 7:42
  Speaker 1: my way and not plague you any more. He took
• 7:45
  Speaker 1: the kiss, then sat up and put his feet to
• 7:47
  Speaker 1: the floor. Christen thought, now must she say to him
• 7:51
  Speaker 1: what she had to say? But he was away already
• 7:55
  Speaker 1: by his own bed, and she heard him undress. The
• 7:59
  Speaker 1: day after, Lady Ongard was not so friendly to Christen
• 8:02
  Speaker 1: as was her wont The girl saw that the lady
• 8:06
  Speaker 1: must have heard somewhat the night before, and that she
• 8:09
  Speaker 1: deemed her son's betrothed, had not borne her toward him,
• 8:13
  Speaker 1: as she held was fitting. Late that afternoon, Simon spoke
• 8:17
  Speaker 1: of a friend's horse he was minded to take in
• 8:19
  Speaker 1: barter for one of his own. He asked Kristen if
• 8:22
  Speaker 1: she would go with him to look at it. She
• 8:24
  Speaker 1: was nothing loth, and they went out into the town together.
• 8:28
  Speaker 1: The weather was fresh and fair. It had snowed a
• 8:31
  Speaker 1: little over night, but now the sun was shining and
• 8:34
  Speaker 1: it was freezing, so that the snow crackled under their feet.
• 8:37
  Speaker 1: Christen felt twas good to be out and walk in
• 8:40
  Speaker 1: the cold air, And when Simon brought out the horse
• 8:43
  Speaker 1: to show her, she talked of it with him gayly enough.
• 8:47
  Speaker 1: She knew something of horses, she had been so much
• 8:50
  Speaker 1: with her father, and this was a comely beast, a
• 8:53
  Speaker 1: mouse gray stallion with a black stripe down the back,
• 8:57
  Speaker 1: and a clipped mane, well shapen and lively. But something
• 9:01
  Speaker 1: small and slightly built. He would scarce hold out under
• 9:05
  Speaker 1: a full armed man for long, said Christen. Indeed, no,
• 9:09
  Speaker 1: nor did I mean him for such a rider, said Simon.
• 9:13
  Speaker 1: He led the horse out into the home field behind
• 9:15
  Speaker 1: the house, made it trot and walk, mounted to try
• 9:19
  Speaker 1: its paces, and would have Kristen ride it too. Thus
• 9:23
  Speaker 1: they stayed together a good while out on the snowy field.
• 9:26
  Speaker 1: At last, as Kristen stood giving the horse bread out
• 9:29
  Speaker 1: of her hand, while Simon leaned with his arm over
• 9:32
  Speaker 1: its back, he said all at once, methinks, Christen, you
• 9:36
  Speaker 1: and my mother a none too loving one with another.
• 9:39
  Speaker 1: I I have not meant to be unloving to your mother,
• 9:43
  Speaker 1: said she. But I find not much to say to
• 9:47
  Speaker 1: lady ongard. Nor seems it you find much to say
• 9:50
  Speaker 1: to me either, said Simon. I would not force myself
• 9:55
  Speaker 1: upon you Christin before the time comes. But things cannot
• 9:59
  Speaker 1: go on as nat when I can never come to
• 10:02
  Speaker 1: speech with you. I have never been one for much speaking,
• 10:06
  Speaker 1: said Kristen. I know it myself, and I look not
• 10:10
  Speaker 1: you should think it so great a loss if what
• 10:12
  Speaker 1: is betwixt us to should come to nought. You know
• 10:16
  Speaker 1: well what my thoughts are, and that matter, said Simon,
• 10:19
  Speaker 1: looking at her. Christen flushed red as blood, and it
• 10:23
  Speaker 1: gave her a pang that she could not mislike the
• 10:26
  Speaker 1: fashion of Simon Darry's wooing. After a while, he said,
• 10:31
  Speaker 1: is it Arney Gerdsen? Christen, you feel you cannot forget?
• 10:35
  Speaker 1: Kristin but gazed at him. Simon went on, and his
• 10:39
  Speaker 1: voice was gentle and kind. Never would I blame you
• 10:43
  Speaker 1: for that you had grown up like brother and sister,
• 10:46
  Speaker 1: and scarce a year is gone by. But be well
• 10:49
  Speaker 1: assured for your comfort that I have your good at heart.
• 10:53
  Speaker 1: Kristen's face had grown deathly white. Neither of them spoke
• 10:57
  Speaker 1: again as they went back through the town in the twilight.
• 11:00
  Speaker 1: At the end of the street, in the blue green
• 11:02
  Speaker 1: sky rode the new moon's sickle with a bright star
• 11:06
  Speaker 1: within its horn. A year, thought Christin, and she could
• 11:10
  Speaker 1: not think when she had last given a thought to Arnie.
• 11:14
  Speaker 1: She grew afraid maybe she was a wanton, wicked woman.
• 11:19
  Speaker 1: But one year since she had seen him on his
• 11:22
  Speaker 1: bier in the wake room, and had thought she should
• 11:25
  Speaker 1: never be glad again in this life. She moaned within
• 11:29
  Speaker 1: herself for terror of her own heart's inconstancy, and of
• 11:33
  Speaker 1: the fleeting changefulness of all things. Erelon. Could he forget her?
• 11:40
  Speaker 1: And yet it seemed to her twould be worse if
• 11:42
  Speaker 1: at any time she should forget him. Sir Andres went
• 11:47
  Speaker 1: with his children to the great Yule Tide feast at
• 11:50
  Speaker 1: the King's Palace. Christin saw all the pomp and show
• 11:54
  Speaker 1: of the festival. They came too, into the hall where
• 11:57
  Speaker 1: sat King Hawkin and the Lady Isabel Bruce, King Irik's widow.
• 12:02
  Speaker 1: Sir Andres went forward and did homage to the King,
• 12:05
  Speaker 1: while his children and Christen stood somewhat behind. She thought
• 12:09
  Speaker 1: of all Lady Oshild had told her. She called to
• 12:12
  Speaker 1: mind that the King was near of Kin. To Erlon,
• 12:15
  Speaker 1: their father's mothers were sisters, and she was Erelon's light
• 12:20
  Speaker 1: of love. She had no right to stand here, least
• 12:23
  Speaker 1: of all amid these good and worthy folk, Sir Andres children.
• 12:28
  Speaker 1: Then all at once she saw Erelon Nicholson. He had
• 12:31
  Speaker 1: stepped forward in front of Queen Isabel, and stood with
• 12:34
  Speaker 1: bowed head and with his hand upon his breast, while
• 12:37
  Speaker 1: she spoke a few words to him. He had on
• 12:40
  Speaker 1: the brown silk clothes that he had worn at the
• 12:43
  Speaker 1: guild feast. Kristen stepped behind Sir Andres daughters, when some
• 12:48
  Speaker 1: time after Lady Ongar led her daughters up before the Queen.
• 12:52
  Speaker 1: Christin could not see him anywhere, But indeed she dared
• 12:55
  Speaker 1: not lift her eyes from the floor. She wondered whether
• 12:58
  Speaker 1: he was standing somewhere in the hall. She thought she
• 13:02
  Speaker 1: could feel his eyes upon her. But she thought too
• 13:05
  Speaker 1: that all folks looked at her, as though they must
• 13:08
  Speaker 1: know she was a liar, standing there with the golden
• 13:11
  Speaker 1: garland on her outspread hair. He was not in the
• 13:16
  Speaker 1: hall where the young folk were feasted and where they
• 13:18
  Speaker 1: danced when the tables had been taken away this evening.
• 13:22
  Speaker 1: It was Simon with whom Christen must dance along One
• 13:26
  Speaker 1: of the longer walls stood a fixed table, and thither
• 13:29
  Speaker 1: the King's men bore ale and mead and wine the
• 13:32
  Speaker 1: whole night long. Once, when Simon drew her thither and
• 13:35
  Speaker 1: drank to her, she saw r Lon standing near behind
• 13:39
  Speaker 1: Simon's back. He looked at her, and Christin's hand shook.
• 13:44
  Speaker 1: When she took the beaker from Simon's hand and set
• 13:47
  Speaker 1: it to her lips. Her Lon whispered vehemently to the
• 13:50
  Speaker 1: man who was with him, a tall, comely man, well
• 13:53
  Speaker 1: on in years and somewhat stout, who shook his head
• 13:56
  Speaker 1: impatiently and looked as if he were vexed. Soon after,
• 14:00
  Speaker 1: Simon led her back to the dance. She knew not
• 14:04
  Speaker 1: how long this dancing lasted. The music seemed as though
• 14:07
  Speaker 1: twould never end, and each moment was long and evil
• 14:11
  Speaker 1: to her, with longing and unrest. At last it was over,
• 14:16
  Speaker 1: and Simon drew her to the drinking board again. A
• 14:20
  Speaker 1: friend came forward to speak to him and led him
• 14:22
  Speaker 1: away a few steps to a group of young men,
• 14:25
  Speaker 1: and ere long stood before her. I have so much
• 14:29
  Speaker 1: I would fain say to you, he whispered, I know
• 14:33
  Speaker 1: not what to say first, And she's a name Kristin,
• 14:36
  Speaker 1: what ails you? He asked quickly, for he saw her
• 14:39
  Speaker 1: face grow white as chalk. She could not see him clearly.
• 14:44
  Speaker 1: It seemed as though there were running water between their
• 14:47
  Speaker 1: two faces. He took a goblet from the table, drank
• 14:51
  Speaker 1: from it, and handed it to her. Kristen felt as
• 14:54
  Speaker 1: though twas all too heavy for her, or as though
• 14:58
  Speaker 1: her arm had been cut off at the sh should
• 15:01
  Speaker 1: do as she would, She could not lift the cup
• 15:03
  Speaker 1: to her mouth. Is it so then that you will
• 15:07
  Speaker 1: drink with your betrothed but not with me? Asked Arlen softly.
• 15:12
  Speaker 1: But Kristen dropped the goblet from her hand and sank
• 15:15
  Speaker 1: forward into his arms. When she awoke, she was lying
• 15:19
  Speaker 1: on a bench with her head in a strange maidens lap.
• 15:22
  Speaker 1: Someone was standing by her side, striking the palms of
• 15:25
  Speaker 1: her hands, and she had water on her face. She
• 15:28
  Speaker 1: sat up somewhere in the ring about her, She saw
• 15:31
  Speaker 1: Arlen's face white and drawn. Her own body felt weak,
• 15:36
  Speaker 1: as though all her bones had melted away, and her
• 15:40
  Speaker 1: head seemed as it were large and hollow. But somewhere
• 15:44
  Speaker 1: within it shone one clear, desperate thought. She must speak
• 15:49
  Speaker 1: with Erlon, she said to Simon Darray he stood near by.
• 15:54
  Speaker 1: Twas too hot for me. I trow so many tapers
• 15:58
  Speaker 1: are burning here, and I am little used to drink
• 16:01
  Speaker 1: so much wine. Are you well again, now, asked Simon.
• 16:06
  Speaker 1: You frightened folks, mayhap you would have me take you home.
• 16:09
  Speaker 1: Now we must wait surely till your father and mother go,
• 16:14
  Speaker 1: said Christen, calmly. But sit down here, I can dance
• 16:18
  Speaker 1: no more. She touched the cushion at her side. Then
• 16:22
  Speaker 1: she held out her other hand to Erleon, sit you here,
• 16:25
  Speaker 1: Erelen Nicholson. I had no time to speak my greetings
• 16:29
  Speaker 1: to an end. Twas but of late Ingabyorg said, she
• 16:32
  Speaker 1: deemed you had clean forgotten her. She saw it was
• 16:36
  Speaker 1: far harder for him to keep calm than for her,
• 16:39
  Speaker 1: and it was all she could do to keep back
• 16:41
  Speaker 1: the little tender smile which would gather round her lips.
• 16:46
  Speaker 1: You must bear the maid my thanks for thinking of me. Still,
• 16:51
  Speaker 1: he stammered. Almost I was afraid she had forgotten me.
• 16:56
  Speaker 1: Kristen paused a little. She knew not what she should say,
• 17:00
  Speaker 1: which might seem to come from the flighty Ingeborg, and
• 17:04
  Speaker 1: yet might tell Erelen her meaning. Then there welled up
• 17:08
  Speaker 1: in her the bitterest of all these months of helpless waiting,
• 17:11
  Speaker 1: And she said, dear Erlon, can you think that we
• 17:15
  Speaker 1: maidens could forget the man who defended our honors so gallantly?
• 17:20
  Speaker 1: She saw his face change as though she had struck him,
• 17:24
  Speaker 1: and at once she was sorry. Then Simon asked what
• 17:28
  Speaker 1: this was they spoke of. Kristen told him of Ingeborg's
• 17:32
  Speaker 1: and her adventure in the Iikeeberg woods. She marked that
• 17:36
  Speaker 1: Simon liked the tale but little. Then she begged him
• 17:39
  Speaker 1: to go, and ask of Lady Ongard whether they should
• 17:42
  Speaker 1: not soon go home. Twas true that she was weary.
• 17:46
  Speaker 1: When he was gone. She looked at Erlon tis Strange,
• 17:51
  Speaker 1: said he in a low voice. You are so quick witted.
• 17:55
  Speaker 1: I had scarce believed it of you. Think you not?
• 17:58
  Speaker 1: I have had to learn and to hide and be secret,
• 18:03
  Speaker 1: said she gloomily. Erelan's breath came heavily. He was still
• 18:08
  Speaker 1: very pale. Tis So then he whispered, Yet, did you
• 18:13
  Speaker 1: promise me to turn to my friends if this should
• 18:16
  Speaker 1: come to pass? God knows I have thought of you
• 18:19
  Speaker 1: each day and dread that the worst might have befallen.
• 18:24
  Speaker 1: I know well what you mean by the worst, said
• 18:28
  Speaker 1: Christen shortly, that you have no need to fear to me.
• 18:33
  Speaker 1: What seemed the worst was that you would not send
• 18:36
  Speaker 1: me one word of greeting. Can you not understand that
• 18:40
  Speaker 1: I am living there amongst the nuns like a stranger bird?
• 18:45
  Speaker 1: She stopped, for she felt that the tears were coming.
• 18:49
  Speaker 1: Is it therefore you are with the different folk? Now?
• 18:52
  Speaker 1: He asked? Then such grief came upon her that she
• 18:55
  Speaker 1: could make no answer. She saw Lady Ongard and Simon
• 19:00
  Speaker 1: come through the doorway. Erelon's hand lay upon his knee
• 19:03
  Speaker 1: nearer her, and she could not take it. I must
• 19:07
  Speaker 1: have speech with you, said he eagerly. We have not
• 19:11
  Speaker 1: said a word to one another. We should have said,
• 19:14
  Speaker 1: come to mass in the Maria church at Epiphany, said
• 19:17
  Speaker 1: Kristin quickly, as she rose and went to meet the others.
• 19:21
  Speaker 1: Lady Ongar showed herself most loving and careful of Christen
• 19:25
  Speaker 1: on the way home, and herself helped her to bed.
• 19:29
  Speaker 1: With Simon, she had no talk until the day after.
• 19:32
  Speaker 1: Then he said, how comes it that you bear messages
• 19:36
  Speaker 1: betwixt this heir Lon and Ingebiorg, Philipp's daughter. Tis not
• 19:40
  Speaker 1: fit that you should meddle in the matter if there
• 19:43
  Speaker 1: be hidden dealings between them, most like there is naught
• 19:47
  Speaker 1: in it, said Kristin. She is but a chatterer. Methinks too,
• 19:53
  Speaker 1: said Simon, you should have taken warning by what's passed
• 19:57
  Speaker 1: and not trusted yourself out in the wild wood paths
• 20:00
  Speaker 1: alone with that magpie. But Kristin reminded him hotly that
• 20:04
  Speaker 1: it was not their fault. They had strayed and lost themselves.
• 20:08
  Speaker 1: Simon said no more. The next day, the different folk
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: took her back to the convent before they themselves left
• 20:15
  Speaker 1: for home. Erelon came to evensong in the convent church
• 20:20
  Speaker 1: every evening for a week, without Kristin getting a chance
• 20:23
  Speaker 1: to change a word with him. She felt as she
• 20:26
  Speaker 1: thought a hawk must feel, sitting chained to its perch
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: with its hood over its eyes. Every word that had
• 20:33
  Speaker 1: passed between them at their last meeting made her unhappy too.
• 20:38
  Speaker 1: It should never have been like that. It was of
• 20:41
  Speaker 1: no use to say to herself. It had come upon
• 20:43
  Speaker 1: them so suddenly they had hardy known what they said.
• 20:47
  Speaker 1: But one afternoon in the twilight, there came to the
• 20:50
  Speaker 1: parlor a comely woman who looked like a townsman's wife.
• 20:54
  Speaker 1: She asked for Kristin Lawn's daughter, and said she was
• 20:57
  Speaker 1: the wife of a mercer, and her husband had come
• 20:59
  Speaker 1: from of late with some fine cloaks. Osmond Bjorgelsen had
• 21:04
  Speaker 1: a mind to give one to his brother's daughter, and
• 21:07
  Speaker 1: the maid was to go with her and choose for herself.
• 21:10
  Speaker 1: Kristin was given leave to go with the woman. She
• 21:13
  Speaker 1: thought it was unlike her uncle to wish to give
• 21:16
  Speaker 1: her a costly gift, and strange that he should send
• 21:20
  Speaker 1: an unknown woman to fetch her. The woman was sparing
• 21:24
  Speaker 1: of her words at first, and said little in answer
• 21:27
  Speaker 1: to Kristen's questions. But when they were come down to
• 21:29
  Speaker 1: the town, she said of a sudden, I will not
• 21:33
  Speaker 1: play you false, fair child that you are. I will
• 21:36
  Speaker 1: tell you all this thing as it is, and you
• 21:38
  Speaker 1: must do as you deem best. Twas not your uncle
• 21:41
  Speaker 1: who sent me, but a man. Maybe you can guess
• 21:45
  Speaker 1: his name, And if you cannot, then you shall not
• 21:48
  Speaker 1: come with me. I have no husband. I make a
• 21:50
  Speaker 1: living for myself and mine by keeping a house of
• 21:54
  Speaker 1: call and selling beer. For such a one it boots
• 21:57
  Speaker 1: not to be too much afraid either of sin or
• 22:00
  Speaker 1: of the watchman. But I will not lend my house
• 22:03
  Speaker 1: for you to be betrayed inside my doors. Kristen stood still,
• 22:08
  Speaker 1: flushing red. She was strangely sore and ashamed for Erlan's sake.
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: The woman said, I will go back with you to
• 22:17
  Speaker 1: the convent, Kristin, but you must give me somewhat for
• 22:19
  Speaker 1: my trouble. The knight promised me a great reward. But
• 22:22
  Speaker 1: I too was fair once, and I too was betrayed,
• 22:26
  Speaker 1: And twould not be a miss if you should name
• 22:28
  Speaker 1: me in your prayers to night, they call me brynhild Fluga.
• 22:33
  Speaker 1: Kristin drew a ring off her finger and gave it
• 22:35
  Speaker 1: to the woman. Tis fairly done of you, brenann Hilt.
• 22:39
  Speaker 1: But if the man be my kinsman, Erlon Nicholason, then
• 22:44
  Speaker 1: have I not to fear he would have me to
• 22:47
  Speaker 1: make peace betwixt tim and my uncle. You may set
• 22:50
  Speaker 1: your mind at ease, but I thank you none the
• 22:53
  Speaker 1: less that you would have warned me. Brinn hilt Fluga
• 22:56
  Speaker 1: turned away to hide a smile. She led Kristin by
• 22:59
  Speaker 1: the alleys behind Saint Clement's Church, northward toward the river.
• 23:03
  Speaker 1: Here a few small dwelling places stood by themselves along
• 23:07
  Speaker 1: the river bank. They went towards one of them along
• 23:10
  Speaker 1: a path between fences, and here Erelon came to meet them.
• 23:14
  Speaker 1: He looked about him on all sides, then took off
• 23:17
  Speaker 1: his cloak, wrapped it about Kristin, and pulled the hood
• 23:20
  Speaker 1: over her face. What think you of this device, he
• 23:24
  Speaker 1: asked quickly, And lo think you tis a great wrong
• 23:27
  Speaker 1: I do? But yet needs must I speak with you?
• 23:31
  Speaker 1: It boots but little now I trow to think what
• 23:34
  Speaker 1: is right and what is wrong? Said Kristin. Speak not, so,
• 23:39
  Speaker 1: begged Erelen. I bear the blame. Christin. Every day and
• 23:44
  Speaker 1: every night have I longed for you? He whispered close
• 23:47
  Speaker 1: to her. A shudder passed through her as she met
• 23:51
  Speaker 1: his eyes. For a moment she felt it as guilt
• 23:54
  Speaker 1: in her when he looked so at her that she
• 23:56
  Speaker 1: had thought of anything but her love for him. Brunhild
• 24:00
  Speaker 1: Fluga had gone on before. Relan asked, when they were
• 24:04
  Speaker 1: come into the courtyard, would you that we should go
• 24:07
  Speaker 1: into the living room? Or shall we talk up in
• 24:10
  Speaker 1: the loft room as you will? Answered Christin, and they
• 24:15
  Speaker 1: mounted to the loft room. The moment he had barred
• 24:19
  Speaker 1: the door behind them, she was in his arms. She
• 24:23
  Speaker 1: knew not how long she had Lain folded thus in
• 24:25
  Speaker 1: his arms. When Erelen said, now must we say what
• 24:29
  Speaker 1: has to be? Said, my Christan, I scarce dare let
• 24:33
  Speaker 1: you stay here longer. I dare stay here all night long,
• 24:37
  Speaker 1: if you would have me stay, she whispered. Erelen pressed
• 24:41
  Speaker 1: his cheek to hers. Then were I not your friend?
• 24:45
  Speaker 1: Tis bad enough as it is, but you shall not
• 24:47
  Speaker 1: lose your good name for my sake. Christin did not answer,
• 24:52
  Speaker 1: but a soreness stirred within her. How could he speak thus,
• 24:56
  Speaker 1: he who had lured her here to brynhild Fluga. She
• 25:01
  Speaker 1: knew not why, but she felt it was no honest place,
• 25:05
  Speaker 1: and he had looked that all should go as it
• 25:08
  Speaker 1: had gone. Of that, she was sure. I have thought
• 25:12
  Speaker 1: at times, said Ereln again, that if there be no
• 25:15
  Speaker 1: other way, I must bear you off by force into Sweden.
• 25:20
  Speaker 1: Lady Ingebiorg welcomed me kindly in the autumn and was
• 25:23
  Speaker 1: mindful of our kinship. But now do I suffer for
• 25:26
  Speaker 1: my sins? I have fled the land before, as you know,
• 25:30
  Speaker 1: and I would not they should name you as the
• 25:33
  Speaker 1: like of that other. Take me home with you to Husseby,
• 25:37
  Speaker 1: said Christin. Low I cannot bear to be parted from you,
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: and to live on among the maids at the convent.
• 25:45
  Speaker 1: Both your kin and mine would surely hearken to reason
• 25:49
  Speaker 1: and let us come together and be reconciled with them.
• 25:53
  Speaker 1: Arellan clasped her to him and groaned, Ah, I cannot
• 25:57
  Speaker 1: bring you to us, a bee, Kristin, Why can you not?
• 26:02
  Speaker 1: She asked softly. Eilina came thither in the autumn, said he,
• 26:08
  Speaker 1: after a moment, I cannot move her to leave the place.
• 26:11
  Speaker 1: He went on hotly, Not unless I bear her to
• 26:15
  Speaker 1: the sledge by force and drive away with her. And
• 26:18
  Speaker 1: that methought I could not do. She has brought both
• 26:22
  Speaker 1: our children home with her. Tristen felt herself sinking, sinking
• 26:28
  Speaker 1: in a voice breaking with fear, she said, I deemed
• 26:31
  Speaker 1: you were parted from her. So deemed I too, answered
• 26:36
  Speaker 1: ere Lon shortly. But she must have heard an ersterdahl
• 26:39
  Speaker 1: where she was that I had thoughts of marriage. You
• 26:43
  Speaker 1: saw the man with me at the Yule tide feast.
• 26:46
  Speaker 1: That was my foster father, Bard Paterson of Hessness. I
• 26:50
  Speaker 1: went to him when I came from Sweden. I went
• 26:53
  Speaker 1: to my kinsman haming Alson in Salt Vican too. I
• 26:57
  Speaker 1: talked with both about my wish to wed, and begged
• 27:00
  Speaker 1: their help. Helena must have come to hear of it.
• 27:03
  Speaker 1: I bade her ask what she would for herself and
• 27:06
  Speaker 1: the children, But seagurd her husband. They look not that
• 27:10
  Speaker 1: he should live the winter out. And then none could
• 27:13
  Speaker 1: deny us if we would live together. I lay in
• 27:16
  Speaker 1: the stable with Hofdor and Ulf, and Eilena lay in
• 27:19
  Speaker 1: the hall in my bed. I trow. My men had
• 27:23
  Speaker 1: a rare jest to laugh at behind my back. Kristin
• 27:27
  Speaker 1: could not say a word. A little after Erelon spoke again,
• 27:32
  Speaker 1: see you the day we pledge each other at our espousals.
• 27:36
  Speaker 1: She must understand that all is over between her and me.
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: She has no power over me any more. But tis
• 27:43
  Speaker 1: hard for the children. I had not seen them for
• 27:46
  Speaker 1: a year. They are fair children, and little can I
• 27:50
  Speaker 1: do to give them a happy lot. Twould not have
• 27:53
  Speaker 1: helped them greatly had I been able to wed their mother.
• 27:56
  Speaker 1: Tears began to roll down over Kristin's cheeks. Then Erlon said,
• 28:02
  Speaker 1: heard you what I said? But now that I had
• 28:04
  Speaker 1: talked with my kinsfolk, aye, they were glad enough that
• 28:08
  Speaker 1: I was minded to wed. Then I said, twas you
• 28:11
  Speaker 1: I would have and none other. And they liked not that,
• 28:16
  Speaker 1: asked Christin at length, forlornly see you not, said Erlon, gloomily.
• 28:22
  Speaker 1: They could say, but one thing they cannot, and they
• 28:26
  Speaker 1: will not ride with me to your father until this
• 28:28
  Speaker 1: bargain TwixT you and Simon Andresen is undone again. It
• 28:33
  Speaker 1: has made it none the easier for us, Christin, that
• 28:36
  Speaker 1: you have spent your Yule Tide with the different folk.
• 28:40
  Speaker 1: Christin gave way altogether and wept noiselessly. She had felt
• 28:44
  Speaker 1: ever that there was something of wrong and dishonor in
• 28:48
  Speaker 1: her love, and now she knew the fault was hers.
• 28:53
  Speaker 1: She shook with the cold when she got up. Soon after,
• 28:56
  Speaker 1: and Ereln wrapped her in both the cloaks. It was
• 29:00
  Speaker 1: quite dark now. Without and Herelon went with her as
• 29:03
  Speaker 1: far as Saint Clement's Church. Then Branheld brought her the
• 29:07
  Speaker 1: rest of the way to Nonaseetter. End of chapter six