de, and oftener as the weather waxed
warmer. And nought worth telling befel to Osberne that while save
these meetings. But at last, when May was yet young, Osberne kept
tryst thrice and Elfhild came not, and the fourth time she came and
had tidings, to wit that one of her kinswomen had died of sickness.
Said she: "And it was the one who was least kind to me, and made most
occasion for chastising me. Well, she is gone; and often she was kind
to me, and before I saw thee I loved her somewhat. But now things will
go better, because the other aunt, who was kinder than the dead one,
hath taken into the house that old woman whereof I told thee, who hath
taught me lore and many ancient tales; and though she be old and
wrinkled, she is kind and loves me: and she is on our side, and I have
told her about thee; and she in turn told me strange things and unked,
which I will not and dare not tell again to thee. Wherefore now let us
be glad together."

Said Osberne: "Yea, we will try to be glad; but see thou, I want more
than this now, I want to come across to thee, and tell thee things
which I cannot shout across this accursed Flood; and I want to take
thee by the hand and put my arms about thee and kiss thee. Dost thou
not wish the like by me?"

"O yea," said the maiden reddening, "most soothly do I. But hearken,
Osberne; the carline sayeth that all this thou shalt do to me, and
that we shall meet body to body one day. Dost thou trow in this?"

"Nay, how can I tell," said he somewhat surlily, "when thou hast told
me so little of the tale?"

"Well," she said, "but I may not tell more; so now, I pray, let us be
glad with what we have got of meeting oftener, and a life better and
merrier for me. Bethink thou, my dear, that if I live easier and have
not to toil so much, and catch fewer stripes, and have better meat and
more, I shall grow sleeker and daintier, yea and bigger, so that I
shall look older and more womanlike sooner." And she wept a little
therewith; so he repented his surliness and set to comfort her, till
she laughed and he also, and they were merrier together.

So now time after time was their converse sweet and happy, and true it
was that Elfhild grew fairer and sleeker week by week; and she was
better clad now, and well shod, and wore her ouches and necklaces
openly, though she said she had not shown all to the carline, "not all
of thine I mean. But the Dwarf necklace, the glorious one, I have
shown her, and she