'
Then he kissed her on the brow and said: 'Now shalt thou take me by
the hand and lead me forth from the Hall. For the day is waxing old,
and here meseemeth in this dim hall there are words crossing in the
air about us--words spoken in days long ago, and tales of old time,
that keep egging me on to do my will and die, because that is all
that the world hath for a valiant man; and to such words I would not
hearken, for in this hour I have no will to die, nor can I think of
death.'
She took his hand and led him forth without more words, and they went
hand in hand and paced slowly round the Doom-ring, the light air
breathing upon them till their faces were as calm and quiet as their
wont was, and hers especially as bright and happy as when he had
first seen her that day.
The sun was sinking now, and only sent one golden ray into the valley
through a cleft in the western rock-wall, but the sky overhead was
bright and clear; from the meadows came the sound of the lowing of
kine and the voices of children a-sporting, and it seemed to Gold-
mane that they were drawing nigher, both the children and the kine,
and somewhat he begrudged it that he should not be alone with the
Friend.
Pages:
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206