"But whence did they come, not to know it already; for all Cornwall was
talking thereof?"
"O, they came out of Devonshire, seeking service down west, with some
merchant or rover, being seafaring men."
The stranger with the black hair had been, meanwhile, earnestly watching
the Princess, who sat at the board's head. He saw her watching him in
return, and with a face sad enough.
At last she burst into tears.
"What should the bride weep for, at such a merry wedding?" asked he of his
companion.
"O, cause enough;" and he told bluntly enough the Princess's story. "And
what is more," said he, "the King of Waterford sent a ship over last week,
with forty proper lads on board, and two gallant Holders with them, to
demand her; but for all answer, they were put into the strong house, and
there they lie, chained to a log, at this minute. Pity it is and shame, I
hold, for I am a Dane myself; and pity, too, that such a bonny lass should
go to an unkempt Welshman like this, instead of a tight smart Viking's
son, like the Waterford lad."
The stranger answered nothing, but kept his eyes upon the Princess, till
she looked at him steadfastly in return.
She turned pale and red again; but after a while she spoke:--
"There is a stranger there; and what his rank may be I know not; but he
has been thrust down to the lowest seat, in a house that used to honor
strangers, instead of treating them like slaves.
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