«Finn will show you to a chamber,» said Cuchulainn.
«Myselfand Cathbadh will be staying up the while to discuss on this matter of Maev.» He smiled his charming and melancholy smile.
Finn guided the couple to a guest-room at the back of the building, handed Shea a rush-light and closed the door, as Belphebe put up her arms to be kissed.
The next second Shea was doubled up and knocked flat to the floor by a super-edition of the cramps.
Belphebe bent over him. «Are you hurt, Harold?» she asked.
He pulled himself to a sitting posture with his back against the wall. «Not — seriously,» he gasped. «It’s that geas. It doesn’t take any time out for husbands.»
The girl considered. «Could you not relieve me of it as you did the one who howled?»
Shea said, «I can try, but I can pretty well tell in advance that it won’t work. Your personality is too tightly integrated — just the opposite of these hysterics around here. That is, I wouldn’t stand a chance of hypnotizing you.»
«You might do it by magic.»
Shea scrambled the rest of the way to his feet.