“Hold, king Sigmund,” said Osbert, “didst thou ask the presence of this man, or didst thou not say that none but the lady Torfrida was to enter the hall, for none but she and I are concerned in this matter. I ask thee in the light of the promise thou wottest of, that thou gavest to me long since, for war service rendered, that thou sendest away this mad beggarman.” “Beggarman he may be, yet saw I never beggarman like to this, and few men even of king’s blood. Yet Sigmund regardeth promise given, so the stranger must hold himself outside.” “King Sigmund, men say that thou regardest an oath sworn, and I have sworn never to leave the lady Torfrida, and I beg that thou wilt give me leave to stay before thee.” “Sir, thou art young and comely and a stranger, and I would befriend thee and all such. Nay, I would that I had many as honest as thou seemest here at my court; but if thou hast sworn so foolish an oath thou wilt have to break it, for I have long promised the lady to my captain Osbert who standeth here, so get thee gone as thou art bidden.” “That thou mayst have promised for thine own part, sir king, but for the lady, she hath not yet promised to wed this thane. If I leave this hall without her it will be feet before, and there will be others that will pass out along with me in like manner.” “Now, good Osbert,” said the king, “if this man is indeed the madman who came in with thee and Torfrida, it is ill parleying with him, and he must remain, for I little like to bring in the guards and make this matter public.” Then turning to Torfrida, his brow darkening as he spoke, he said: “What is this that I hear of thee, Torfrida?” “That can I not say till thou hast told me.” “Dost thou not know that they say of thee that thou wast seen riding in the forest with this stranger, and that this beggar or madman or king’s son put his arm about thee and kissed thee and thou him? Such disgrace was never on our house before. And they say that the two of ye rode on and met with another.” Then Torfrida turned pale and trembled, and then spoke: “Thou hast tried long to force the thane Osbert upon me; know, my father, that I have sworn to wed with this stranger and may surely ride with him.” Then the king started to his feet an angry man, and Osbert drew his sword and started up likewise. “Ho! guards, seize this madman, and the madwoman also, and slay him. Guards! guards!” cried the king. Then sprang Feargus to the door, against it placing his back, and drew forth his bow and fitted an arrow thereto. “Hold, sir king,” said he, “for an thy guards lay but a hand upon her thou shalt die; for know that a shot never missed I yet with this bow at such range, and the traitor thane shall die along of thee ere thy guards have crossed the hall. Hearken how they clamour at the door. For thine own sake bid them be still, for on that door’s strength, which they so sturdily assail, thy life hangs.”