But there was no smile as she set it in my hand, and she waited with head turned away until I gave it back to her, as if she looked at Owen rather than any one else.

Then it was only a short word of farewell that she said to me, and yet it did seem that her eyes were less grave than she would seem in face as she turned back to the other ladies on the hall steps.
Then Owen unhelmed and turned his horse to the gates, and after him we went clattering down the street.

In a minute or two Thorgils came alongside me.
"So that was the lady of the vow, surely.

Well, you may be excused for making it, though indeed it is rash to bind oneself--nay, but it seems that this is one of those matters whereon I must hold my tongue!" For I had spurred my horse a little impatiently, and he understood well enough.

I did not altogether care that this stranger should talk of my affairs--more particularly as they did not seem to be going at all rightly.