Torode knew, and sought her on her death-bed to question her, but either
she could not or she would not tell." Hilda's mind was in such confusion
that she could not speak. The old woman continued. "Algar lived on--yes,
lived that he might suffer all the evils with which my curse loaded him,
and died that he might be hurled into the abyss where traitors and
cravens writhe and groan. Enough of him!

"When I returned to my tower, a figure was crouching before the hearth:
it was Tita, and you were in her arms. The faithful creature, whom your
father had chosen from a band of captives to be your nurse, had,
unperceived, saved your life from the flames. Thenceforward you were my
care. I took your mother's place as best I could. Others knew not your
parentage, nor did they dare to question me. None suspected the truth."

When she reached this point she bent over the kneeling girl and gave her
a kiss, tender as a mother's if not a mother's kiss; her fingers
caressed the head bowed upon her knees; for a time the silence was only
broken by Hilda's sobs. She then spoke again, this time quickly,
sternly, as if to prevent interruption.

"I cannot leave thee alone, and I will not! Listen, child, and be
silent! What I now tell thee is beyond thy young understanding: thou
hast but to shape thy will to my bidding: it is for me to launch thy
vessel on its voyage, the Gods will help thy riper judgment to steer its
course! The time has come when thou must wed! I have chosen for thee a
suitor, the chief to whom all thy countrymen bend the knee. Garthmund
claims thee as his bride; ere eight days expire the marriage feast will
be held. He is of noble birth, there is none nobler; he is young and
strong, and should be favoured by the Gods if he prove worthy of them.
He is a fitting bridegroom for Haco's daughter."