Your wit will do the rest." She lifted the sword, while, after a moment's prayer, I bared my neck of the silk robe.

Then she let it fall again, gasping, and said: "Tell me first, for I am curious.

Are you no man?
Or have you forsworn woman, as do the monks ?" "Not I, Augusta.

Had I lived, some day I might have married, who would have wished to leave children behind me, since in our law marriage is allowed.

Forget not your promise as to the Bishop Barnabas, who, I fear, will weep over this seeming fall of mine." "So you would marry, would you ?" she said, as one who speaks to herself; then thought awhile, and handed me back the sword.
"Olaf," she went on, "you have made me feel as I never felt before--ashamed, utterly ashamed, and though I learn to hate you, as it well may hap I shall, know that I shall always honour you." Then she sank down upon the couch, and, hiding her face in her hands, wept bitterly.
It was at this moment that I went very near to loving Irene.
I think she must have felt something of what was passing in my mind, for suddenly she looked up and said: "Give me that jewel," and she pointed to the diadem on the floor, "and help me to order my hair; my hands shake." "Nay," I said, as I gave her the crown.