"To-morrow I must speak, and--you must listen." The sun had run his course again, and once more it was near four o'clock in the afternoon.

The brethren stood by the great fire in the hall looking at each other doubtfully--as, indeed, they had looked through all the long hours of the night, during which neither of them had closed an eye.
"It is time," said Wulf, and Godwin nodded.
As he spoke a woman was seen descending from the solar, and they knew her errand.
"Which ?" asked Wulf, but Godwin shook his head.
"Sir Andrew bids me say that he would speak with you both," said the woman, and went her way.
"By the saints, I believe it's neither!" exclaimed Wulf, with a little laugh.
"It may be thus," said Godwin, "and perhaps that would be best for all." "I don't think so," answered Wulf, as he followed him up the steps of the solar.
Now they had passed the passage and closed the door, and before them was Sir Andrew seated in his chair by the fire, but not alone, for at his side, her hand resting upon his shoulder, stood Rosamund.

They noted that she was clad in her richest robes, and a bitter thought came into their minds that this might be to show them how beautiful was the woman whom both of them must lose.

As they advanced they bowed first to her and then to their uncle, while, lifting her eyes from the ground, she smiled a little in greeting.
"Speak, Rosamund," said her father.

"These knights are in doubt and pain." "Now for the coup de grace," muttered Wulf.
"My cousins," began Rosamund in a low, quiet voice, as though she were saying a lesson, "as to the matter of which you spoke to me yesterday, I have taken counsel with my father and with my own heart.