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020 - Book 2 Chapter 8 · Bridal Wreath

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  Speaker 1: Book two, Chapter eight of The Bridal Wreath by Cigarett Unset.
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  Speaker 1: This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter eight
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  Speaker 1: Chrissen said to herself now that at least is over.
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  Speaker 1: But she felt broken with weariness and sick for Erelon's arms.
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  Speaker 1: She lay awake most of the night, and she resolved
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  Speaker 1: to do what she never dared think of before, send
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  Speaker 1: word to Erlon. It was not easy to find any
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  Speaker 1: one who could go such an errand for her, the
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  Speaker 1: lay sisters never went out alone, nor did she know
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  Speaker 1: of any of them she thought would be willing. The
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  Speaker 1: men who did the farm work were elder folk, and
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  Speaker 1: but seldom came near the dwellings of the nuns, save
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  Speaker 1: to speak with the abbess herself. There was only Olaf.
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  Speaker 1: He was a half grown lad who worked in the gardens.
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  Speaker 1: He had been Lady Groa's foster son from the time
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  Speaker 1: when he was found a new born babe upon the
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  Speaker 1: church steps one morning. Folk said one of the lay
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  Speaker 1: sisters was his mother. She was to have been a nun,
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  Speaker 1: but after she had been kept in the dark cell
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  Speaker 1: for six months for grave disobedience, as twas said, And
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  Speaker 1: it was about that time the child was found. She
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  Speaker 1: had been given the lay sister's habit and had worked
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  Speaker 1: in the farmyard ever since. Kurteston had often thought of
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  Speaker 1: Sister Ingrid's fate throughout these months, but she had had
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  Speaker 1: few chances to speak with her. It was venturesome to
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  Speaker 1: trust to Olaf, he was but a child, and Lady
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  Speaker 1: Groa and all the nuns were wont to chat and
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  Speaker 1: jest with him when they saw the boy. But Kristin
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  Speaker 1: deemed it mattered little what risks she took now, And
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  Speaker 1: a day or two later, when Olaf was for the town,
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  Speaker 1: one morning, Kristen sent word by him to a caresness
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  Speaker 1: that Erlon must find some way whereby they might meet alone.
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  Speaker 1: That same afternoon, Erelon's own man, Ulf came to the grill.
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  Speaker 1: He said he was Osmond Bjorgolfsen's man, and was to
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  Speaker 1: pray on his master's behalf that his brother's daughter might
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  Speaker 1: go down to the town for a little, for Osmond
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  Speaker 1: had not time to come to Nonsetter. Kristen thought this
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  Speaker 1: device must surely fail, But when sister Potensia asked if
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  Speaker 1: she knew the bearer of the message, she said yes.
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  Speaker 1: So she went with Ulf to Brynhild Flugus house. Arland
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  Speaker 1: awaited her in the loft room. He was uneasy and anxious,
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  Speaker 1: and she knew at once twas that he was afraid
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  Speaker 1: again of what he seemed to fear the most. Always.
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  Speaker 1: It cut her to the soul he should feel such
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  Speaker 1: a haunting dread that she might be with child, when
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  Speaker 1: yet they could not keep apart. Harassed as she was
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  Speaker 1: this evening, she said this to him hotly enough. Erland's
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  Speaker 1: face flushed darkly, and he laid his head down upon
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  Speaker 1: her shoulder. You are right, said he, I must try
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  Speaker 1: to let you be Christin, not to put your happiness
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  Speaker 1: in such jeopardy. If you will. She threw her arms
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  Speaker 1: around him and laughed, but he caught her round the waist,
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  Speaker 1: forced her down upon a bench, and seated himself on
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  Speaker 1: the further side of the board. When she stretched her
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  Speaker 1: hand over to him, he covered the palm with vehement kisses.
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  Speaker 1: I have tried more than you, said he, with passion.
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  Speaker 1: You know not how much I deem it means for
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  Speaker 1: both of us that we should be wed with all honor.
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  Speaker 1: Then you should not have made me yours, said Christin.
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  Speaker 1: Ere Lon hid his face in his hands. I would
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  Speaker 1: to God I had not done you that wrong, he said,
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  Speaker 1: neither you nor I wish that, said Christin, laughing boldly.
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  Speaker 1: And if I may but be forgiven and make my
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  Speaker 1: peace at last with my kindred and with God, then
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  Speaker 1: shall I not sorrow over much? Though I must wear
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  Speaker 1: the woman's hood when I am wed aye and often
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  Speaker 1: had seen and to me I could do without peace,
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  Speaker 1: even if only I may be with you. You shall
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  Speaker 1: bring honor with you into my house once more, said Erleon,
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  Speaker 1: Not I drag you down into dishonor Christon shook her head.
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  Speaker 1: Then she said, tis like you will be glad then
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  Speaker 1: when you hear that I have talked with Simon and Ryssen,
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  Speaker 1: and he will not hold me to the pack that
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  Speaker 1: was made for us by our fathers before I met you.
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  Speaker 1: At once. Erlon was wild with joy, and Kristen was
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  Speaker 1: made to tell him all. Yet she told not of
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  Speaker 1: the scornful words Simon had spoken of Erlon, though she
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  Speaker 1: said that before Lavern's he would not take the blame
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  Speaker 1: upon himself. Tis but reason, said Erlon. Shortly. They like
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  Speaker 1: each other well, your father, and he I me, he
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  Speaker 1: will like less. I trow laverrens Kristin took these words
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  Speaker 1: as a sign that Erlen felt with her. She he
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  Speaker 1: had still a hard road to travel. Ere Yet they
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  Speaker 1: reached their journey's end, and she was thankful to him
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  Speaker 1: for it. But he did not come back to this matter.
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  Speaker 1: He was glad above measure, saying he had feared so
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  Speaker 1: that she would not have courage to speak with Simon.
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  Speaker 1: You like him after a fashion, I mark well, said
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  Speaker 1: he Can it be aught to you, asked Kristin, After
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  Speaker 1: all that has come and gone between you and me,
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  Speaker 1: that I can see that Simon is an honest man
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  Speaker 1: and a stout. Had you never met me, said Erelen,
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  Speaker 1: you might well have had good days with him. Kristin,
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  Speaker 1: why laugh you? Oh? I did, but call to mind somewhat,
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  Speaker 1: lady oshill To said once answered Kristen, I was but
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  Speaker 1: a child then, But twas somewhat about good days falling
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  Speaker 1: to wise folk, but the best days of all to
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  Speaker 1: those who dare be unwise. God bless my kinswoman. If
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  Speaker 1: she taught you that, said Erelen, and took her upon
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  Speaker 1: his knee, tis strange. Christin, Never have I marked that
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  Speaker 1: you were afraid? Have you never marked it? She asked,
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  Speaker 1: as she nestled close to him. He seated her on
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  Speaker 1: the bedside and drew off her shoes, but then drew
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  Speaker 1: her back again to the table. Oh, my Christin, Now
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  Speaker 1: at last it looks as if bright days might come
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  Speaker 1: for us too. Methinks I had never dealt with you
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  Speaker 1: as I have done, he said, stroking and stroking her hair.
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  Speaker 1: Had it not been that each time I saw you?
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  Speaker 1: I thought? Ever, twas not reason that they should give
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  Speaker 1: so fine and fair a wife to me. Sit you
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  Speaker 1: down here and drink to me, he begged. A moment
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  Speaker 1: after came a knock on the door. It sounded like
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  Speaker 1: the stroke of a sword hilt. Open airl On, Nicholson.
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  Speaker 1: If you are within, tis Simon darth, said Kristin in
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  Speaker 1: a low voice. Open man in the devil's name, if
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  Speaker 1: you be a man, shouted Simon, and beat on the
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  Speaker 1: door again. Erelon went to the bed and took his
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  Speaker 1: sword down from the peg in the wall. He looked
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  Speaker 1: round at a loss. What to do? There is nowhere
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  Speaker 1: here you can hide. Twould Scarce make things better if
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  Speaker 1: I hid, said Christen. She had risen to her feet.
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  Speaker 1: She spoke very quietly, but Erelen saw that she was trembling.
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  Speaker 1: You must open, she said in the same tone. Simon
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  Speaker 1: hammered on the door again. Erelen went and drew the bolt.
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  Speaker 1: Simon stepped in. He had a drawn sword in his hand,
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  Speaker 1: but he thrust it back into its sheath at once.
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  Speaker 1: For a while the three stood in silence. Christin trembled.
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  Speaker 1: But yet in this first moment she felt a strange,
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  Speaker 1: sweet thrill from deep within her. Something rose, scenting the
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  Speaker 1: combat between two men. She drew a deep breath. Here
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  Speaker 1: was an end to these endless months of dumb waiting
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  Speaker 1: and longing. And she looked from one to the other,
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  Speaker 1: pale and with shining eyes. Then the strain within her
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  Speaker 1: broke in a chill, unfathomable despair. There was more of
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  Speaker 1: cold scorn than of rage or jealousy in Simon Dary's eyes,
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  Speaker 1: and she saw that Ereleon, behind his defiant bearing, burned
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  Speaker 1: with shame. It dawned upon her how other men would
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  Speaker 1: think of him, who had let her come to him
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  Speaker 1: in such a place, And she saw twas as though
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  Speaker 1: he had had to suffer a blow in the face.
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  Speaker 1: She knew he burned to draw his sword and fall
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  Speaker 1: upon Simon. Why have you come hither Simon, she cried
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  Speaker 1: aloud in dread. Both men turned toward her to fetch
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  Speaker 1: you home, said Simon, here you cannot be. Tis not
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  Speaker 1: for you any more to lay commands on Christin Lavn's daughter,
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  Speaker 1: said Arlen fiercely. She is mine, now, I doubt not
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  Speaker 1: she is, said Simon savagely, and a fair bridal bower
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  Speaker 1: have you brought her to? He stood a little panting.
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  Speaker 1: Then he mastered his voice and spoke quietly. But so
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  Speaker 1: it is that I am her betrothed, still till her
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  Speaker 1: father can come for her, and for so long I
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  Speaker 1: mean to guard with edge and point, so much of
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  Speaker 1: her honor as can be saved in others eyes? What
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  Speaker 1: need of you to guard her? I can? He flushed
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  Speaker 1: red as blood under Simon's eyes, then flying out, Think
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  Speaker 1: you I will suffer threats from a boy like you,
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  Speaker 1: he cried, laying his hand on his sword hilt. Simon
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  Speaker 1: clapped both hands behind him. I am not such a
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  Speaker 1: coward as to be afraid. You should deem me afraid,
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  Speaker 1: said he, as before I will fight you ereln Nicholson,
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  Speaker 1: you mistake your soul upon that if within due time
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  Speaker 1: you have not made suit for Kristin to her father,
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  Speaker 1: that will I never do at your bidding? Simon Andersen
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  Speaker 1: said Herelen angrily. The blood rushed into his face again. Nay,
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  Speaker 1: do you it to set right the wrong you have done? So?
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  Speaker 1: Young a maid answered Simon, unmoved, twill be better so
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  Speaker 1: for Christen. Christin gave a loud cry in pain. At
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  Speaker 1: Arlen's pain, she stamped upon the floor. Go then, Simon, go,
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  Speaker 1: What have you to do with our affairs? I told you?
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  Speaker 1: But now said Simon, you must bear with me till
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  Speaker 1: your father has loosed you and me from each other.
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  Speaker 1: Christen broke down utterly. Go go, I will follow straightway. Jesus,
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  Speaker 1: why do you torture me so? Simon? You know you
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  Speaker 1: deem not yourself. I am worthy that you should trouble
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  Speaker 1: about me. Tis not for your sake I do it,
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  Speaker 1: answered Simon Erelen. Will you not tell her to go
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  Speaker 1: with me? Erelen's face quivered. He touched her on the shoulder.
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  Speaker 1: You must go, Kristen, Simon Darra and I will speak
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  Speaker 1: of this at another time. Kristin got up obediently and
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  Speaker 1: fastened her cloak about her. Her shoes stood by the bedside.
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  Speaker 1: She remembered them, but she could not put them on
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  Speaker 1: under Simon's eyes. Outside, the fog had come down again.
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  Speaker 1: Christin flew along with head bent and hands clutched tight
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  Speaker 1: in the folds of her cloak. Her throat was bursting
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  Speaker 1: with tears. Wildly. She longed for some place where she
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  Speaker 1: could be alone and sob and sob the worst, the
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  Speaker 1: worst was still before her. But she had proved a
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  Speaker 1: new thing this evening, and she writhed under it. She
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  Speaker 1: had proved how it felt to see the man to
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  Speaker 1: whom she had given herself humbled. Simon was at her
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  Speaker 1: elbow as she hurried through the lanes, over the common lands,
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  Speaker 1: and across the open places where the houses had vanished,
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  Speaker 1: and there was nought but fog to be seen. Once,
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  Speaker 1: when she stumbled over something, he caught her arm and
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  Speaker 1: kept her from falling. No need to run so fast,
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  Speaker 1: said he. Folk are staring after us. How you are trembling,
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  Speaker 1: he said more gently. Kristin held her peace and walked on.
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  Speaker 1: She slipped in the mud of the street. Her feet
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  Speaker 1: were wet through and icy cold. The hoes she had
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  Speaker 1: on were leather, but they were thin. She felt they
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  Speaker 1: were giving way, and the mud was oozing through to
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  Speaker 1: her naked feet. They came to the bridge over the
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  Speaker 1: convent Beck and went more slowly up the slopes on
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  Speaker 1: the other side. Kristin said Simon of a sudden, your
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  Speaker 1: father must never come to know of this. How knew
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  Speaker 1: you that I was there, asked Christin. I came to
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  Speaker 1: speak with you, answered Simon. Shortly. Then they told me
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  Speaker 1: of this man of your uncle's coming. I knew Osmond
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  Speaker 1: was in Hadiland. You two are not over cunning at
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  Speaker 1: making up tails heard you what I said, But now,
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  Speaker 1: I said Christin, it was I who sent word to
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  Speaker 1: Erlon that we should meet at Flugas's house. I knew
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  Speaker 1: the woman. Then, shame upon you. But oh you could
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  Speaker 1: not know what she is? And he do you hear,
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  Speaker 1: said Simon harshly. If so be it can be hidden,
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  Speaker 1: you must hide from Laveryrin's. But you have thrown away.
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  Speaker 1: And if you cannot hide it, then you must strive
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  Speaker 1: to spare him the worst of the shame. You are
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  Speaker 1: ever so marvelous careful for my father, said Christin, trembling.
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  Speaker 1: She strove to speak defiantly, but her voice was ready
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  Speaker 1: to break with sobs. Simon walked on a little. Then
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  Speaker 1: he stopped. She caught a glimpse of his face as
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  Speaker 1: they stood there alone together in the midst of the fog.
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  Speaker 1: He had never looked like this before. I have seen
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  Speaker 1: it well each time I was at your home, said he,
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  Speaker 1: How little you understand you, his women folk? What a
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  Speaker 1: man Lavern's is knows not how to rule you? Says
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  Speaker 1: Yonder trount jestling, And twere like he should trouble himself
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  Speaker 1: with such work. He who was born to rule over men.
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  Speaker 1: He was made for a leader I and one whom
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  Speaker 1: men would have followed Gladly, these are no times for
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  Speaker 1: such men as he. My father knew him at Bogahus.
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  Speaker 1: But as things are, he has lived his life up
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  Speaker 1: there in the dale, as he were little else but
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  Speaker 1: a farmer. He was married off all too young, and
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  Speaker 1: your mother, with her heavy mood, was not the one
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  Speaker 1: to make it lighter for him to live that life.
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  Speaker 1: So it is that he has many friends. But think
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  Speaker 1: you there is one who is his fellow. His sons
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  Speaker 1: were taken from him, twas you his daughters, who were
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  Speaker 1: to build up his race after him. Must he live
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  Speaker 1: now to see the day when one is without health
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  Speaker 1: and the other without honor. Christin pressed her hands tightly
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  Speaker 1: over her heart. She felt she must hold it in
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  Speaker 1: to make herself as hard as she had need to be.
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  Speaker 1: Why say you this, she whispered after a time. It
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  Speaker 1: cannot be that you would ever wish to wed me, now,
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  Speaker 1: that would I not, said Simon unsteadily, God help me, Christin.
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  Speaker 1: I think of you that evening in the loft room
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  Speaker 1: at Finsbrecken. But nay, the foul fiend fly away with
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  Speaker 1: me living the day. I trust a maiden's eyes. Again.
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  Speaker 1: Promise me that you will not see Arlon before your
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  Speaker 1: father comes, said he, when they stood at the gate.
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  Speaker 1: That will I not promise, answered Christin. Then he shall promise,
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  Speaker 1: said Simon. Ah, I will not see him, said Kristin quickly.
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  Speaker 1: The little dog I sent you once, said Simon, before
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  Speaker 1: they parted him. You can let your sisters have they
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  Speaker 1: are grown so fond of him, if you mislike not
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  Speaker 1: too much to see him in the house. I ride
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  Speaker 1: north tomorrow early, said he, and then he took her
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  Speaker 1: hand in farewell. While the sister who kept the door
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  Speaker 1: looked on. Simon Darry walked downward towards the town. He
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  Speaker 1: flung out a clenched fist as he strode along, talked
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  Speaker 1: half aloud, and swore out into the fog. He swore
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  Speaker 1: to himself that he grieved not over her Christen, twas
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  Speaker 1: as though he had deemed a thing pure gold, and
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  Speaker 1: when he saw it close at hand, it was not
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  Speaker 1: but brass and tin, white as a snowflake. Had she
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  Speaker 1: knelt and thrust her hand into the flame, that was
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  Speaker 1: last year. This year she was drinking wine with an
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  Speaker 1: outcast Rivald in Fluga's loft room, the devil. No twas
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  Speaker 1: for Lavren's Bjorgelsen. He grieved sitting up there on urine guard,
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  Speaker 1: believing full surely never had it come into Lavren's mind
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  Speaker 1: that he could be so betrayed by his own And
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  Speaker 1: now he himself was to bear the tidings and help
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  Speaker 1: to lie to that man. It was for this that
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  Speaker 1: his heart burned with sorrow and wrath. Kristin had not
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  Speaker 1: meant to keep her promise to Simon Darry, But as
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  Speaker 1: it befell, she spoke but a few words with Erlon
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  Speaker 1: one evening. Up on the road. She stood and held
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  Speaker 1: his hand, strangely meek, while he spoke of what had
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  Speaker 1: befallen in Brunhild's loft room at their last meeting with
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  Speaker 1: Simon Andersen. He would talk another time. Had we fought,
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  Speaker 1: there twould have been all over the town, said Erlen hotly,
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  Speaker 1: and that he too knew full well this Simon, and
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  Speaker 1: saw how this thing had galled him. She too had
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  Speaker 1: thought of it unceasingly. Ever, since there was no hiding
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  Speaker 1: the truth. Erelon came out of this business with even
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  Speaker 1: less honor than she herself, and she felt that now
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  Speaker 1: indeed they were one flesh, that she must answer for
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  Speaker 1: all he did, even though she might mislike his deeds,
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  Speaker 1: and that she would feel it in her own flesh
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  Speaker 1: when so much as Earlon's skin was scratched. Three weeks later,
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  Speaker 1: lavnz Burgelsen came to Oshlow to fetch his daughter. Kristen
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  Speaker 1: was afraid, and she was sore of heart as she
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  Speaker 1: went to the parlor to meet her father. What first
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  Speaker 1: struck her when she saw him standing there speaking to
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  Speaker 1: sister Potensia was that he did not look as she
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  Speaker 1: remembered him. Maybe he was but little changed since they
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  Speaker 1: parted a year ago, but she had seen him all
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  Speaker 1: her years at home as the young, lusty, comely man
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  Speaker 1: she had been so proud to have for father when
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  Speaker 1: she was little. Each winter and each summer that passed
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  Speaker 1: over their heads up there at home had doubtless marked
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  Speaker 1: him with the marks of growing age, as they had
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  Speaker 1: unfolded her into a full grown young woman. But she
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  Speaker 1: had not seen it. She had not seen that his
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  Speaker 1: hair was fading here and there, and had taken on
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  Speaker 1: a tinge of rusty red near the temples, as yellow
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  Speaker 1: hair does when his turning gray. His cheeks had shrunken
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  Speaker 1: and grown longer, so that the muscles ran in harder
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  Speaker 1: lines down to the mouth. His youthful white and red
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  Speaker 1: had faded to one weather beaten shade. His back was
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  Speaker 1: not bowed, but yet his shoulder blades had an unaccustomed
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  Speaker 1: curve beneath his cloak. His step was light and firm
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  Speaker 1: as he came toward her with outstretched hand, But yet
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  Speaker 1: twas not the old, brisk and supple motion. Doubtless all
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  Speaker 1: these things had been there last year, only she had
• 19:57
  Speaker 1: not seen them. Perhaps there had been added a little
• 20:00
  Speaker 1: touch of sadness which made her see them now. She
• 20:05
  Speaker 1: burst into weeping laverns, put his arm about her shoulder,
• 20:09
  Speaker 1: and laid his hand against her cheek. Come, come be
• 20:12
  Speaker 1: still now, child, he said gently. Are you angry with me? Father?
• 20:18
  Speaker 1: She asked, lo surely you must know that I am,
• 20:23
  Speaker 1: he answered, But he went on stroking her cheek. Yet
• 20:27
  Speaker 1: so much too. You must know that you have no
• 20:30
  Speaker 1: need to be afraid of me, said he sadly. Nay,
• 20:35
  Speaker 1: now you must be still, Christen. Are you not ashamed
• 20:39
  Speaker 1: to bear you in such childish wise? For she was
• 20:42
  Speaker 1: weeping so that she had to seat herself upon the bench.
• 20:46
  Speaker 1: We will not speak of these things here where folk
• 20:49
  Speaker 1: go out and in, said he, And he sat himself
• 20:52
  Speaker 1: down by her side and took her hand. Will you
• 20:55
  Speaker 1: not ask after your mother then, and your sisters? What
• 20:58
  Speaker 1: does my mother say of this us, asked his daughter.
• 21:02
  Speaker 1: Oh that you can have no need to ask. But
• 21:05
  Speaker 1: we will not talk of it now, he said again.
• 21:09
  Speaker 1: Else she is well, And he set to telling this
• 21:12
  Speaker 1: and that of the happenings at home on the farm,
• 21:15
  Speaker 1: till Christin grew quieter little by little. But it seemed
• 21:18
  Speaker 1: to her that the strain did but grow worse, because
• 21:22
  Speaker 1: her father said naught of her breach of troth. He
• 21:25
  Speaker 1: gave her money to deal out among the poor of
• 21:27
  Speaker 1: the convent, and to make gifts to her fellow pupils.
• 21:30
  Speaker 1: He himself gave rich gifts to the cloister and the sisters,
• 21:34
  Speaker 1: and no one in Nono Setter knew aught else than
• 21:37
  Speaker 1: that Kristin was now to go home for her betrothal
• 21:40
  Speaker 1: and her wedding. They both ate the last meal at
• 21:44
  Speaker 1: Lady Groa's board in the Abbess's room, and the lady
• 21:47
  Speaker 1: spoke of Christin with high praise. But all this came
• 21:51
  Speaker 1: to an end. At last she had said her last
• 21:53
  Speaker 1: farewell to the sisters and her friends at the convent gate.
• 21:57
  Speaker 1: Laverns led her to her horse and lifted her into
• 22:00
  Speaker 1: the saddle. Twas so strange to ride with her father
• 22:04
  Speaker 1: and the men from Jorngard down to the bridge, along
• 22:07
  Speaker 1: this road down which she had stolen in the dark.
• 22:11
  Speaker 1: Wonderful too, it seemed, to ride through the streets of
• 22:14
  Speaker 1: Oshlow freely and in honor. She thought of their splendid
• 22:19
  Speaker 1: wedding train that Arlin had talked of so often. Her
• 22:23
  Speaker 1: heart grew heavy. Twould have been easier had he carried
• 22:26
  Speaker 1: her away with him. There was yet such a long
• 22:30
  Speaker 1: time before her in which she must live one life
• 22:33
  Speaker 1: in secret and another openly. Before folks. But then her
• 22:38
  Speaker 1: eye fell on her father's grave, aging face, and she
• 22:42
  Speaker 1: tried to think that after all, Erlin was right. There
• 22:46
  Speaker 1: were a few other travelers in the inn at eventide.
• 22:50
  Speaker 1: They all slept together in a little hearth room where
• 22:53
  Speaker 1: there were two beds. Only Laverns and Christen were to
• 22:57
  Speaker 1: sleep there, for they were the first in rank among
• 22:59
  Speaker 1: them guests. Therefore, when the knight drew on a little,
• 23:03
  Speaker 1: the others bade them a friendly good night. As they
• 23:05
  Speaker 1: broke up and went to seek their sleeping places, Kristin
• 23:09
  Speaker 1: thought how it was she who had stolen to Brinhildefluga's
• 23:14
  Speaker 1: loft room, to Erlan's arms. Sick with sorrow and with
• 23:18
  Speaker 1: fear that she might never more be his, she thought, no,
• 23:23
  Speaker 1: there was no place for her any more amongst these others.
• 23:27
  Speaker 1: Her father was sitting on the further bench, looking at her.
• 23:30
  Speaker 1: We are not to go to scold this time, asked
• 23:33
  Speaker 1: Kristin to break the silence. No, No, answered Laverns. I
• 23:38
  Speaker 1: have had enough for some time with what your mother's
• 23:41
  Speaker 1: brother made me listen to. Because I would not constrain you,
• 23:45
  Speaker 1: he added, as she looked up at him questioningly and
• 23:49
  Speaker 1: truly I would have made you keep your word, said
• 23:53
  Speaker 1: he a little after, had it not been that Simon
• 23:56
  Speaker 1: said he would not have an unwilling wife. I have
• 24:00
  Speaker 1: never given my word to Simon, said Christin quickly. You
• 24:04
  Speaker 1: have ever said before that you would never force me
• 24:07
  Speaker 1: into wedlock. Twould not have been force if I had
• 24:10
  Speaker 1: held you to a bargain that had been published long
• 24:13
  Speaker 1: ago and was known to all men, answered Laverns. These
• 24:17
  Speaker 1: two winters passed. You have borne the name of hand
• 24:20
  Speaker 1: fasted folk, and you have said naught against it, nor
• 24:24
  Speaker 1: shown yourself unwilling till now your wedding day was fixed.
• 24:29
  Speaker 1: If you would plead that the business was put off
• 24:31
  Speaker 1: last year, so that you have not yet given Simon
• 24:34
  Speaker 1: your troth, then that I called not upright dealing. Christon
• 24:39
  Speaker 1: stood gazing down into the fire. I know not which
• 24:43
  Speaker 1: will seem the worst. Went on her father, that if
• 24:46
  Speaker 1: it be said that you have cast off Simon, or
• 24:50
  Speaker 1: that he has cast you off, sir, andres sent me word.
• 24:55
  Speaker 1: Lawrence flushed red as he said it. He was wroth
• 24:59
  Speaker 1: with the lad and bade me crave such amends as
• 25:03
  Speaker 1: I should think fit. I had to say what was true.
• 25:07
  Speaker 1: I know not if aught else had been better. That
• 25:10
  Speaker 1: should there be amends to make twas rather for us
• 25:13
  Speaker 1: to make them, we are shamed either way. I cannot
• 25:18
  Speaker 1: think there is such great shame, said Christin Lo. Since
• 25:23
  Speaker 1: Simon and I are of one mind, of one mind,
• 25:28
  Speaker 1: repeated lawns. He did not hide from me that he
• 25:32
  Speaker 1: was unhappy, But he said after you had spoken together,
• 25:36
  Speaker 1: he deemed not, but misfortune could come of it if
• 25:39
  Speaker 1: he held you to the pact. But now must you
• 25:42
  Speaker 1: tell me how this has come over you? Has Simon
• 25:46
  Speaker 1: said not? Asked Christin As seemed as though he thought,
• 25:51
  Speaker 1: said her father, that you have given your love to
• 25:55
  Speaker 1: another man. Now must you tell me how this is?
• 25:58
  Speaker 1: Christin Kristin thought for a little. God knows, said she
• 26:04
  Speaker 1: in a low voice. I see, well, Simon might be
• 26:08
  Speaker 1: good enough for me, and maybe too good. But tis
• 26:11
  Speaker 1: true that I came to know another man. And then
• 26:15
  Speaker 1: I knew I would never have one happy hour more
• 26:18
  Speaker 1: in all my life, were I to live it out
• 26:20
  Speaker 1: with Simon. Not if all the gold in England were
• 26:24
  Speaker 1: his to give, I would rather have the other. If
• 26:27
  Speaker 1: he owned no more than a single cow. You look
• 26:31
  Speaker 1: not that I should give you to a serving man.
• 26:34
  Speaker 1: I Trow, said her father. He he is as well
• 26:38
  Speaker 1: born as I and better, answered Christin. I meant but this,
• 26:44
  Speaker 1: he has enough both of lands and goods. But I
• 26:47
  Speaker 1: would rather sleep with him in the bare straw than
• 26:50
  Speaker 1: with another man in a silken bed. Her father was
• 26:54
  Speaker 1: silent for a while. Tis one thing, Christin, that I
• 26:57
  Speaker 1: will not force you to take a man that likes you, not,
• 27:01
  Speaker 1: though God and Saint Olaf alone know what you can
• 27:04
  Speaker 1: have against the man I had promised you to. But
• 27:08
  Speaker 1: tis another thing. Whether the man you have set your
• 27:10
  Speaker 1: heart upon is such as I can wed you two.
• 27:14
  Speaker 1: You are young yet and not over wise. And to
• 27:18
  Speaker 1: cast his eyes upon a maid who has promised to
• 27:21
  Speaker 1: another tis not the want of an upright man. No
• 27:25
  Speaker 1: man can rule himself in that matter, broke in, Christen. Aye,
• 27:31
  Speaker 1: but he can, But so much you can understand, I, Trow.
• 27:35
  Speaker 1: I will not do such offense to the different folk
• 27:38
  Speaker 1: as to betrothe you to another the moment you have
• 27:40
  Speaker 1: turned your back on Simon, and least of all to
• 27:43
  Speaker 1: a man who might be more high in rank or richer.
• 27:47
  Speaker 1: You must say who this man is, he said, After
• 27:50
  Speaker 1: a little. Christin pressed her hands together and breathed deeply.
• 27:54
  Speaker 1: Then she said, very slowly, I cannot father. Thus it
• 28:00
  Speaker 1: stands that should I not get this man, then you
• 28:04
  Speaker 1: can take me back to the convent and never take
• 28:07
  Speaker 1: me from it again. I shall not live long there
• 28:10
  Speaker 1: I trow. But it would not be seemly that I
• 28:12
  Speaker 1: should name his name ere. Yet I know he bears
• 28:16
  Speaker 1: as good a will toward me as I have to him.
• 28:19
  Speaker 1: You you must not force me to say who he
• 28:21
  Speaker 1: is before before tis seen whether whether he is minded
• 28:26
  Speaker 1: to make suit for me through his kin. Lawrance was
• 28:30
  Speaker 1: a long time silent. He could not but be pleased
• 28:33
  Speaker 1: that his daughter took the matter. Thus, he said, at length,
• 28:37
  Speaker 1: so be it. Then tis but reason that you would
• 28:41
  Speaker 1: fain keep back his name if you know not more
• 28:43
  Speaker 1: of his purposes. Now must you to bed, Cristin, said
• 28:48
  Speaker 1: he a little after he came and kissed her. You
• 28:52
  Speaker 1: have wrought sorrow and pain to many by this waywardness
• 28:56
  Speaker 1: of yours, my daughter, But this you know that your
• 28:59
  Speaker 1: good lies next My heart, God help me twould be
• 29:04
  Speaker 1: so I fear me whatever you might do, He and
• 29:07
  Speaker 1: his gentle mother will surely help us so that this
• 29:11
  Speaker 1: may be turned to the best. Go now and see
• 29:15
  Speaker 1: that you sleep well. After he had lain down Lavern's thought,
• 29:19
  Speaker 1: he heard a little sound of weeping from the bed
• 29:21
  Speaker 1: by the other wall, where his daughter lay, But he
• 29:24
  Speaker 1: made as though he slept. He had not the heart
• 29:27
  Speaker 1: to say to her that he feared the old talk
• 29:29
  Speaker 1: about her and Arney and Bentaine would be brought up
• 29:33
  Speaker 1: again now. But it weighed heavily upon him that twas
• 29:36
  Speaker 1: but little he could do to save the child's good
• 29:39
  Speaker 1: name from being besmirched behind his back. And the worst
• 29:44
  Speaker 1: was that he must deem much of the mischief had
• 29:46
  Speaker 1: been wrought by her own thoughtlessness. And of chapter eight