who can keep him
there, be he never so mighty; and if a man will not see with my eyes
when I bid him, blinded shall he be."

This he said somewhat hurriedly, for a dark flush came on the face of
the man before him, and he thought that he must try some other plan than
force with him.

"And as for that other point, I did not so much as hint that the bride
was likely to be unwilling. I will say that she is willing, rather."

Now that troubled Havelok, for it seemed that all was arranged already,
and the thought of the dungeon was not pleasant. There was no doubt that
if the king chose he could cast him into one until he was forgotten; and
the light and the breath of the wind from the sea were very dear to
Havelok. So he thought that he would at least gain time by seeming to
listen to the proposal; for, after all, it might come to nothing, and
maybe it was but a jest, though a strange one.

"Well, lord king," he said, "if the bride knows enough of me to be
willing, it is but fair that I should have the like chance of choice."

Now Alsi thought that it was impossible that this churl, as he deemed
him, would not be overjoyed to hear of the match he had made for him,
and he must needs know it soon. Yet there was that about Havelok that
puzzled him, for his ways were not those of a churl, and he spoke as a
freeman should speak.

So much the more likely that the people would believe him when he said
that Goldberga wedded him of her own wish, he thought. It was as well
that he was not altogether a common-seeming man.

"You have seen the damsel already," he said therefore. "Now I will not
say that this match is altogether of my choosing; but I have an oath to
keep, and it seems that I can only keep it by making you her husband.
But, as I say, she is willing, and, I will add, well dowered."

Now it grew plain to my brother that there was something strange in all
this, so he said, "An oath is a thing that must not be hindered in the
fulfilling, if a man can further it. But what has a king's oath to do
with me?"

"I have sworn to find her the goodliest and mightiest man alive; and,
though I must needs say it to your face, there is none like yourself. No
flattery this to bend you to my will, but sober truth--at least, as I
see it."

At that Havelok grew impatient.

"Well, if that be so, who is the bride?" he asked, not caring to give
the king his title, or forgetting to do so, for on him was coming the
feeling that he w