Now I would have told him that it was so, but there came a little sound at the door, and Halfden went and opened it.  Across its half darkness came a woman’s form, and Osritha spoke in her soft voice.

“Brother, are you here yet?”

“Aye, sister, both of us—­come and persuade this foolish Wulfric.”

Then I spoke quickly, for it seemed to me that if Osritha spoke and urged me, I should surely give way.

“Nay, but you must not persuade me—­would you have had us Christians bid your father choose between death and gain for the sake of winning him to our faith?”

Then said Halfden, “That would I not.”

But in the dark Osritha came to my side and clung to me, so that I was between those two whom I loved and must lose, for Halfden held my right hand, and Osritha my left, and she was weeping silently for me.

“Listen,” I said, for the speaking must be mine lest they should prevail.  “Should I die willingly for one who has given His life for me?”

“Aye, surely—­if that might be,” said Halfden.

“Now it comes into my mind that hereafter you will know that I do not die for naught.  For He whom I worship died for me.  Nor may I refuse to spend life in His honour.”

Then they were silent, until Osritha found her voice and said: 

“We knew not that.  I will not be the one to hold you from what is right.”

At that Halfden rose up, for he had found a seat of logs and sat by me on it, sighing a long sigh, but saying: 

“Well, this is even as I thought, and I will not blame you, my brother.  Fain would I have kept you here, and sorely will Osritha pine when you are gone.  But you shall not die, else will the justice of Ulfkytel come to naught.”

Then I heard again the clank of arms, and Halfden bent down, as I might feel.

“Can you arm yourself in the dark?” he said.

“Why, surely!  It is not for the first time,” I answered.

He thrust my mail shirt against me, and laid a sword in my hand, and set my helm on my head, all awry because of the darkness.

“Quickly,” he said.

Then a new hope that came to me made me clasp Osritha’s hand and kiss it before I must see to arming myself; but she clung to me yet, and I kissed her gently, then turning away sorely troubled went to work.

Soon I was ready for Halfden’s word, and Osritha buckled on my sword for me, for she had felt and taken it.  Halfden opened the door and went out into the night, speaking low to one whom I could not see; and so I bade farewell to her whom I loved so dearly, not knowing if I should ever look on her again.

But she bade me hope ever, for nor she nor I knew what the days to come might bring us.

“Ready,” said Halfden; “follow me as if you were a courtman till we come to the outer gate.”

Then with Osritha’s handclasp still warm on mine I went out and followed him, and she sought the maiden who waited beside the door, and was gone.