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When, an hour later, the Princess Hafrydda returned to the breakfast room, she informed the king and queen that the old woman was not a beggar; that she had kept her listening to a long story about lost men and women and robbers; that she was a thorough deceiver; that some of the servants believed her to be a witch, and that she had sent her away.
Besides, you defied him, you say, and you were right to do so, for my dear father will never force you to wed against your wishes." "I know better," returned the other, with some bitterness. "Did he not intend to make you wed against your wishes?" "That is true," replied the gentle Hafrydda, with a sigh.
"Was it kind was it wise, Hafrydda, to cause me to run so great a risk of being discovered?" "Forgive me, dear Branwen, I did not mean to do it, but you arrived unexpectedly, and I let you come in without thinking. Besides, I knew you could easily deceive him. Nobody could guess it was you not even your own mother."
Farewell, dear Hafrydda, I dare not stay, for that that monster will not be long in hatching and carrying out some vile plot farewell." About three miles beyond the outskirts of King Hudibras' town the name of which has now, like many other things, been lost in the proverbial mists of antiquity an old man dwelt in a sequestered part of the forest.
He had married the daughter of a Norse Jarl; and his two children, Bladud and Hafrydda, had taken after their gentle mother in complexion and disposition, though they were not altogether destitute of a sub-current of their father's passionate nature.
This is the main thing, but I will not tell you anything more, unless you give me your solemn promise not to tell a word of it all to any one, till I give you leave. Do you promise?" Hafrydda was so taken aback that she could do nothing for some time but gaze in the girl's face. Then she laughed in an imbecile sort of way.
What say you to take the princess's place and become my wife?" "Oh! no, no," exclaimed Branwen, in great distress, trying to disengage his arm, "you love Hafrydda, and it is impossible that you can love us both! Let me go." "I'm not so sure that I ever really cared for the princess," replied the chief; "but of this I am quite sure, that I never loved her half as much as I love you, Branwen."
"King Hudibras," said the northern chief, in a tone that produced instant silence, "I have found the lost one my daughter Branwen." As they moved through the crowd of tall warriors Bladud could not at first catch sight of the girl. "Ha! Hafrydda," he said, with a pleasant smile, "your young friend and companion found at last. I congratulate you. I'm so glad that "
Hafrydda laughed; and her brother thereupon gave her a full account of the recent interview. "Now, my sister, you were always straightforward and wise. Give me a clear answer. Has Cormac been found?" "No, he has not been found; but " "Then," interrupted Bladud, in a savage tone that was very foreign to his nature, "Gadarn is a liar!" "Oh, brother! say not so." "How can I help it?
These, however, did not bring their women that privilege being reserved for the household of the king only. Close behind the king and queen walked the young Princess Hafrydda.
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