His terror on hearing this unexpected news was so great that he meditated immediate flight from Tara; but when a thing has been uttered once it is easier said the second time and on the third repetition it is patiently listened to.
After no great delay Crimthann mac Ae agreed and arranged that he and Becfola should fly from Tara, and it was part of their understanding that they should live happily ever after.
One morning, when not even a bird was astir, the king felt that his dear companion was rising. He looked with one eye at the light that stole greyly through the window, and recognised that it could not in justice be called light.
“There is not even a bird up,” he murmured.
And then to Becfola.
“What is the early rising for, dear heart?”
“An engagement I have,” she replied.
“This is not a time for engagements,” said the calm monarch.
“Let it be so,” she replied, and she dressed rapidly.
“And what is the engagement?” he pursued.