thunderclap, with a burst of sulphureous flames, announced to them its utter destruction. When they drew near to the camp, Swerker came forward to meet them, bearing a peace-embassy from the Finlanders. After a few short hours of repose, the whole troop set out on their way, amid the long slanting gleams of the morning sun, singing their choral anthems, that reverberated far and wide amid the rocky mountains. Sir Otto had provided for Hildiridur a handsome palfrey, and now rode with her in the van, carefully guiding her horse with a leading rein; Montfaucon’s noble falcon perched on his left hand, and attended by Sir Arinbiorn and Sir Heerdegen, one on each side. “For some time at least we shall all remain together,” said the sea-monarch; and a discourse was begun touching their future prospects, when Heerdegen added thereto,--“Ay, surely;--for my own part at least, I think to go through Germany into France, in order to bring home from thence my sister Bertha.” At these words a deep blush came over Sir Otto’s cheeks; “I would beg you to salute her for me,” said he; “but, alas! I am unworthy of her remembrance.” Thereupon Sir Heerdegen, silently indeed, but kindly, gave him his hand, and at that moment a gleam of the morning sunlight broke from a cloud so beautifully over the fresh and fragrant landscape, that it seemed to every heart like a promise of the happiness and blessings that were yet in store for them. END OF VOL. II. * * * * * PRINTED BY OLIVER & BOYD. * * * * * TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE: Punctuation errors and printing mistakes such as obviously missing letters have been silently fixed. Spelling and hyphenation in common use at the time of publication have been kept as is. Instances of the same word differing in hyphenation have in most cases been changed to match the majority variant, or using information from other sources. Volume number added under “The Magic Ring”, before first chapter. In addition, the following changes have been made: p.41 Blanehefleur to Blanchefleur p.201 mne to mine p.274 dsiguised to disguised p.339 Christain to Christian New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.