She said no longer: “The fire! Make a hole: the soul would fain escape,” but ever in ecstasy and delight she would say to Nele: “Spouse am I: spouse thou art to be. Handsome; long hair; hot love; knees cold and cold arms!”
And Soetkin looked on her grieving, for she thought this some new madness.
Katheline continued:
“Thrice three make nine, the sacred number. He that in the night hath eyes shining as a cat’s alone seeth the mystery.”
One night Soetkin, hearing her, made a movement of doubting.
But Katheline:
“Four and three,” said she, “misfortune under Saturn; under Venus, the marriage number. Cold arms! Cold knees! Heart of fire!”
Soetkin made answer:
“It is not well to speak of wicked heathen idols.”
Hearing which Katheline made the sign of the cross and said: