Now is all well." Again Hallblithe looked from one to the other and wondered what they meant.

But the Erne cried out: "Bring in now the sitter, who shall fill the empty throne!" Then again the screen-doors opened, and there came in two weaponed men, leading between them a woman clad in gold and garlanded with roses.

So fair was the fashion of her face and all her body, that her coming seemed to make a change in the hall, as though the sun had shone into it suddenly.

She trod the hall-floor with firm feet, and sat down on the ivory chair.

But even before she was seated therein Hallblithe knew that the Hostage was under that roof and coming toward him.