the scald, The thought of marriage in that strange land sent a chill to the girl’s heart. So she grew more silent, paler and more retiring. Even her father seemed to wish her to think of the scald as her lord, for he had spoken gravely to her of Thorgills’ kindness, of his true Christian worth, and of the king’s friendship for him,—adding significantly, “I would thou didst have such a protector, kind and wise and a true Christian, when I am gone.” Maidoch was silent, but through her silence lived the firm hope of a return to Ireland.
So Thorgills had need of great patience, for the maid seemed to be moving even farther away than ever from him. Her place too was often vacant now, beside Lady Aastrid; for she devised some excuse to be absent when Thorgills came to sing, although she had loved to listen to his harp and voice. Her own lute had hung in silence for many a day, for her father was too feeble to be cheered even by her dear voice and her exquisite touch upon the instrument, and her heart was too heavy to wake its strains for her own delight.
Thorgills had gone with Father Meilge, who was preaching in the shires around Nidaros. One evening the bard walked out towards Rimul. Father Meilge had stopped to speak to a group of peasants and Thorgills wandered on. He was depressed and discouraged at the slowness of his wooing, and well-nigh willing to give up all hope of winning Maidoch.
