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"Nay, let us speak of our future, hed, "what doth it hold? Strife and bitter war for thee and a weary waiting for ive these fears and vain is Indeed, 'tis most unlike me to fear and tremble thus I was ever accounted brave until now--is't love, think you, doth make me coward? 'Tis not death I fear-- save for thy dear sake Death? Nay, what have we to do with such, thou and I--this is our wedding night, and yet--I feel as if this night--I were leading thee--to thy--death-- O, am I mad, forsooth? Hold me close, beloved, comfort me, Beltane, I--I aht her to the hearth, and, setting her in the fireglow, kneeled there, seeking to co deep and oft and with eyes dilated and heavy

"Beltane," said she slowly, "I groeary, 'tis--the fire, hed and gazed upon him as one neaked "Did I sleep?" she questioned drowsily, "Beltane," she sighed, speaking low and thick--"I charge thee, whatsoe'er the future doth bring--yet love ainst hi upon hiue-eyed

"Beltane," she murmured, "art there, beloved? 'Tis dark, and my eyes-- heavy Methinks I--must sleep awhile Take me--to my women I must sleep--yet will I coht her to the door, but as he came thither the broidered curtain was lifted and he beheld Winfrida, who ran to herover her

"Winfrida," sighed the Duchess, sluroeary--I ht, dear lady Coelo be come, so shalt be thine oeet self anon"

And when the Duchess was gone, Beltane sat and stared upon the fire and felt hi fla, drea his eyes, found the fair Winfrida beside him: "My lord Beltane," said she softly, "thy Duchess biddeth thee wait her in the chapel--followyet heavy with sleep, Beltane arose and followed her through an opening in the arras near by, and down a narrow stair, stu as one in a dreaht him into a little chapel, where, upon the altar, was a crucifix with candles diloom