vast chasm, but a narrow grave." His voice faltered a moment, and
again he renewed,--" Thou weepest, Edith; ah, how thy tears console
me! Hilda, hear me! I love thy grandchild--loved her by irresistible
instinct since her blue eyes first smiled on mine. I loved her in her
childhood, as in her youth--in the blossom as in the flower. And thy
grandchild loves me. The laws of the Church proscribe our marriage,
and therefore we parted; but I feel, and thine Edith feels, that the
love remains as strong in absence: no other will be her wedded lord,
no other my wedded wife. Therefore, with heart made soft by sorrow,
and, in my father's death, sole lord of my fate, I return, and say to
thee in her presence, 'Suffer us to hope still!' The day may come
when under some king less enthralled than Edward by formal Church
laws, we may obtain from the Pope absolution for our nuptials--a day,
perhaps, far off; but we are both young, and love is strong and
patient: we can wait."

"O Harold," exclaimed Edith, "we can wait!"

"Have I not told thee, son of Godwin," said the Vala, solemnly, "that
Edith's skein of life was inwoven with thine? Dost thou deem that my
charms have not explored the destiny of the last of my race? Know
that it is in the decrees of the fates that ye are to be united, never
more to be divided. Know that there shall come a day, though I can
see not its morrow, and it lies dim and afar, which shall be the most
glorious of thy life, and on which Edith and fame shall be thine,--the
day of thy nativity, on which hitherto all things have prospered with
thee. In vain against the stars preach the mone and the priest: what
shall be, shall be. Wherefore, take hope and joy, O Children of Time!
And now, as I join your hands, I betroth your souls."