"Whether you live or die, the secret will be discovered--the surest way to victory in our attack."
"You will conquer, with or without Adalo, in other ways. I will save the girl I love before it is too late."
He tried to force himself past the Duke, but the old man seized him by both shoulders with an iron grasp and forced him to stand.
"And I will accuse you before the popular assembly, like that treacherous king; I will have you hung between two wolves to a bough of the accursed withered yew."
"Do what you choose after I have saved her or died with her," cried the frantic youth, wrenching himself free. But, with unexpected strength, the old Duke flung him, reeling, back into the tent.
"I will have you bound hand and foot like a madman. You are mad. Freya has bewitched you. Hear it, Adalger, high in Valhalla: Adalo, your son, no longer heeds a hero's duty or manly honor. He must be bound with willow withes, with ropes, that he may not become base and destroy his people for a woman's sake."
Agitated, overpowered, crushed, Adalo sank prostrate, his hands clenched in his long locks, moaning: "Bissula--lost--lost!"
The Duke, unobserved, cast a keen sympathizing glance at the youth. He saw that he had convinced and conquered him.
Adalo went out, grave and thoughtful, to be alone with his grief.
* * * * *