“I remember that, mother.” “Whatever maid you love, her you must ask if she would give seven drops of her heart’s blood. It may be that she would. It may be that she would not and that you would still love her without thought of her giving one drop of blood of her little finger.” “I cannot ask the maiden I love to give seven drops of her heart’s blood.” “Who is the maiden you love?” “The King’s daughter, Flame-of-Wine.” He told the Spae-Woman about the presents he had given her--he told the Spae-Woman too that he had bound himself to seven years’ service to Mogue on account of these presents. The Spae-Woman said, “What other treasures are in Mogue’s pack?” “One treasure more the Girdle of Truth. Whoever puts it on can speak nothing but the truth.” Said the Spae-Woman, “You are to take the Girdle of Truth and give it to Flame-of-Wine. Tell Mogue that I said he is to give it to you without adding one day to your years’ service. When Flame-of-Wine has put the girdle around her waist ask her for the seven drops of heart’s blood that will bring your mother’s seven brothers back to their human shapes. She may love you and yet refuse to give you the seven drops from her heart. But tell her of this, and hear what she will say.” Flann left the Spae-Woman’s and went back to Mogue’s tent. The loss of his treasures had overcome Mogue and he was drinking steadily and went from one bad temper to another. “Begin your service now by watching the tent while I sleep,” said he. “There is one thing more I want from you, Mogue,” said Flann. “By the Eye of Balor! you’re a cuckoo in my nest. What do you want now?” “The Girdle of Truth.” “Is it my last treasure you’d be taking on me?” “The Spae-Woman bid me tell you that you’re to give me the Girdle of Truth.” “It’s a pity of me, it’s a pity of me,” said Mogue. But he took the box out of his pack, and let Flann take the girdle. VIII Flame-of-Wine saw him. She walked slowly down the orchard path so that all might notice the stateliness of her appearance. “I am glad to see you again, Flann,” said she. “Have your comrades yet come back to my father’s town?” Flann told her that one of them had returned. “Bid him come see me,” said Flame-of-Wine. Then she saw the girdle in his hands. “What is it you have?” said she. “Something that went with the other treasures--a girdle.” “Will you not let me have it, Flann?” She took the girdle in her hands. “Tell me, youth,” she said, “how you got all these treasures?” “I will have to give seven years’ service for them,” Flann said. “Seven years,” said she, “but you will remember--will you not--that I loved you for bringing them to me?” “Will you remember me until I come back from my seven years’ service?” “Oh, yes,” said Flame-of-Wine, and she put the girdle around her waist as she spoke.