Then coming to the edge of the dais, where they were seated in the sight of all, she stood before her cousins, not knowing, poor maid, to which of them she should offer it.

But Godwin whispered a word to Wulf, and both of them stretching out their right hands, snatched an end of the kerchief which she held towards them, and rending it, twisted the severed halves round their sword hilts.

The company laughed at their wit, and cried: "The wine for the more handsome.

They cannot serve that thus." Rosamund thought a moment; then she lifted a great silver beaker, the largest on the board, and having filled it full of wine, once more came forward and held it before them as though pondering.

Thereon the brethren, as though by a single movement, bent forward and each of them touched the beaker with his lips.
Again a great laugh went up, and even Rosamund smiled.
"The book! the book!" cried the guests.