Page:The North Star (1904).djvu/173

Rh anteroom,” the house-thrall told her mistress, as the lady sat in the bower-room. Aastrid glanced around, holding her spinning-wheel at rest.

“Maidoch,” she said, smiling at the girl, who sat weaving her cobweb lace, “go thou and bring some ale and bread to Thorgills. I wot he is thirsty and hungry, and I would finish this skein before I lay aside the spinning-wheel. Tell Thorgills I will join him presently. He brings a message of courtesy from the king.”

Lady Aastrid turned to her spinning, and feigned not to see the pleading look in Maidoch’s eyes, and the low words, “My lady, I would ask—” were drowned in the whir of the wheel.

The girl went obediently to prepare the refreshment and to fill the drinking-horn. Then she repaired to the waiting-room. Thorgills was sitting listlessly expecting the thrall to return with the Lady Aastrid’s message. Maidoch came in so softly that he did not hear her. Her eyes were bent upon the floor as she entered, and she timidly raised them as she placed the food upon the table. Then she held out the long bronze horn. “The Lady Aastrid bids thee refresh thyself.” At the first sound of her voice Thorgills turned and started. Maidoch! It was indeed the little maid. At last! at last! he could speak to her, he might plead with her. As the girl placed the food upon the table, she moved towards the door. Thorgills started forward. “I thank thy