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"I wanted to see Auda Brent before I went away for the winter. Lovely woman! Brent is a lucky fellow " "Brent is my friend," answered Liot, angrily. But Bele did not notice the tone, and he continued: "I would rather have Auda for a friend."
Also for a moment his eyes rested on old Snorro, who was no longer crouching over the hearth, but straight up and full of fire and interest; and Snorro answered the look with a nod, that meant something which all approved and understood; after which Liot continued in a voice full of a somber passion: "It was the very last night of the summer, and neither Gisli nor his true wife, Auda, could sleep.
At last, full of great hurts, Gisli bade them wait awhile and they should have the end they wanted; for he would have time to sing this last song to his faithful Auda: 'Wife, so fair, so never-failing, So truly loved, so sorely cross'd, Thou wilt often miss me, wailing; Thou wilt weep thy hero lost.
Bele's own boat being shipped ready for the voyage, he took Hallgrim's boat when he went to see Auda Brent; but he either tied it carelessly or he did not know the power of the tide at that point, for when he wished to return the boat was not there.
Then old Snorro raised himself and answered Liot in the very words of Eyjolf: "'Lay down the good arms thou bearest, and give up also Auda, thy wife." "'Come and take them like a man, for neither the arms I bear nor the wife I love are fit for any one else!" cried Liot, in reply. And this challenge and valiant answer, though fully expected, charged the crowded room with enthusiasm.
All, then, hung upon Auda Brent's reticence; if she admitted that Bele had called on her that afternoon, some one would divine the loss of the boat and the subsequent tragedy. For several wretched days he waited to hear the words that would point suspicion to him. They were not spoken.
Thus Gisli came to his grave; and it has always been said, by one and all, that there never was a more famous defense made by one man in any time, of which the truth is known; but he was not lucky in anything." "I will doubt that," said Gust Havard. "He had Auda to wife, and never was there a woman more beautiful and loving and faithful. He had love-luck, if he had no other luck.
It took him some time to reach the conclusion that Auda was playing a part one she thought best for her honor and peace. In the mean time the preparations for his marriage with Karen Sabiston went rapidly forward. He strove to keep his mind and heart in tune with them, but it was often hard work.
Auda came to Lerwick, as usual, with her basket of eggs for sale; she talked with Paul Borson about Bele's disappearance; and though Liot watched her closely, he noticed neither tremor nor hesitation in her face or voice. He thought, indeed, that she showed very little feeling of any kind in the matter.
Sir Res was a coward at heart, as it is the wont of a traitor to be, and finding himself opposed by foes as relentless and energetic as Vychan and Llewelyn, he was speedily driven from fortress to fortress, till at length he was forced to surrender himself a prisoner to the Earl of Gloucester; who, out of kindness to his wife, Auda de Hastings, connived at his escape to Ireland.
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