Olaf said that you had no sisters, or I should have thought you called to one of them, maybe." Then I remembered at last; and for a little while I sat silent, and my heart was sorely troubled.

And the trouble was because my growing thought of Sexberga taught me, all in a flash as it were, when the remembrance of Hertha was brought thus clearly back to me, what tie bound me to Bures and to this more than playmate of mine.
In truth, I think that had it not been for this, until I had been back in Bures again I should not have recalled it.
Now I was glad that I had said nought that might have made my liking for the maiden plain to her, and so things would be the easier.

Yet for a few moments the thought of saying nought of the old betrothal came to me--of letting it remain forgotten.

And then that seemed to me to be unworthy of a true man.

It was done, and might not be undone by my will alone.