Then I said, humbly as I felt:
"That is more honour to me than I deserve."
"That is for her to say," answered the fair lady, turning to where Osmund had been.
But he was now in the doorway, looking out again to the hills. So she was silent, and I thought of somewhat.
"There is none in this land or in any other--of whom I think as I do of Thora," I said; "but my mind has been full of warfare and trouble with the king. Now, if I may, I will ask for somewhat that I may wear for her sake in the fight, and so she will know that I think of her."
"Now that is well said," answered Etheldreda. "But you must ask it for yourself."
Thereat I thought for a moment, and at last I said that I would not do so.
"If I might, I would ask you to gain this favour for me," I said; "for I think that a parting would be very hard, as things have come about."
"You are a wiser man than I thought you, Ranald," she said; and so she went from me, and I stayed by the fire, thinking thoughts that were sweet and yet troublous, for beyond tomorrow's fight I could not see.
Then the lady came back, and with her she brought a little glove, worn and shapely from the hand that it belonged to.