lead with a deadly foreboding, as he noted what a light was
kindled in Sweyn's eyes by her smile.

That night, when all others slept, Christian, the weariest of all,
watched outside the guest-chamber till midnight was past. No
sound, not the faintest, could be heard. Could the old tale be
true of the midnight change? What was on the other side of the
door, a woman or a beast? he would have given his right hand to
know. Instinctively he laid his hand on the latch, and drew it
softly, though believing that bolts fastened the inner side. The
door yielded to his hand; he stood on the threshold; a keen gust
of air cut at him; the window stood open; the room was empty.

So Christian could sleep with a somewhat lightened heart.

In the morning there was surprise and conjecture when White Fell's
absence was discovered. Christian held his peace. Not even to his
brother did he say how he knew that she had fled before midnight;
and Sweyn, though evidently greatly chagrined, seemed to disdain
reference to the subject of Christian's fears.

The elder brother alone joined the bear hunt; Christian found
pretext to stay behind. Sweyn, being out of humour, manifested his
contempt by uttering not a single expostulation.

All that day, and for many a day after, Christian would never go
out of sight of his home. Sweyn alone noticed how he manoeuvred for
this, and was clearly annoyed by it. White Fell's name was never
mentioned between them, though not seldom was it heard in general
talk. Hardly a day passed but little Rol asked when White Fell