Nor will I live so. Death will break the knot if you
will not do so, and I could die with a smile on my lips, knowing that I was
dying for your good and England's. If you will not break the bond death
shall do so, and ere to-morrow's sun rises, either by your sacrifice or by
my own hand, you will be free. Marry for the good of England. Here is the
ring by which you pledged your troth to me," and she took it from her
finger and dropped it in the fire that blazed on the hearth. "There is the
end of it, but not the end of our love. I shall think of you, and pray for
you always, Harold. Oh, my dear lord and master, do not make it too hard
for me!" and she threw herself on his neck in a passion of tears. For two
or three minutes they stood locked in each other's close embrace, then she
withdrew herself from his arms.
"Farewell," she said. "You have left my side many a time for battle, and we
parted bravely though we knew we might never meet again. Let us part so
now. We have each our battles to fight, but God will comfort us both, for
our sacrifice will have brought peace to England. Farewell, my dear lord,
farewell!" She touched his hand lightly and then tottered from the room,
falling senseless as soon as she had closed the door behind her.
Harold sank into a chair and covered his face with his hands, while his
breast heaved with short sobs. So he sat for some time; then he stood up.
"She is stronger and braver than I," he murmured; "but she is right.
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