"Beltane—thou dost know this! Ah, love—what would you?" For of a sudden his mighty arms were close about her, and rising, he lifted her upon his breast. "What would'st do with me, Beltane?"
"Do?" quoth he, "do? This night, this very hour thou shalt wed me—"
"Nay, dear my lord—bethink thee—"
"It hath been my thought—my dearest dream since first I saw thee within the woods at Mortain—so now shalt wed me—"
"But, Beltane—"
"Shalt wed me!"
"Nay, love, I—I—thou art so sudden!"
"Aye, within this hour shalt call me 'husband'!"
"Wilt force me, my lord?"
"Aye, verily," said Beltane, "as God sees me, I will!"