And as he looked upon her the mighty past rose before him, and the caverns of his being resounded with the shock and tumult of forgotten battles.

With bellowing of storm-winds and crash of smoking North Sea waves, he saw the sharp-beaked fighting galleys, and the sea-flung Northmen, great-muscled, deep-chested, sprung from the elements, men of sword and sweep, marauders and scourgers of the warm south-lands! The din of twenty centuries of battle was roaring in his ear, and the clamor for return to type strong upon him.

He seized her hands passionately.
"Be the bright bride by me, Frona! Be the bright bride by me on the couch!" She started and looked down at him, questioningly.

Then the import of it reached her and she involuntarily drew back.

The sun shot a last failing flicker across the earth and vanished.