The woman looked at the maiden with a curious, intent glance, and then said abruptly:
“Through him will thy fate change. ’Tis for the weal of thy house, Adiva, that thou hast sheltered him. Ere the set of sun, shalt thou know who and what he is. Even now, do friends seek him in thine abode.”
“Marry!” ejaculated Adiva. “In my dwelling at this moment, sayest thou? Egwina, ’twere best that we were going.”
She rose as she spoke, and Gunnehilde rose also. An arch smile parted Egwina’s lips.
“I thought that thou didst intend staying longer,” she said.
“Nay, child; ’tis high time we were going. Besides, if any there be at the cottage, I should be there to give them greeting.”
The smile on Egwina’s face was reflected on Gunnehilde’s, but the Danish woman offered no remonstrance to their departure. The two were soon on their way back.
“Thinkest thou that there will in truth be guests at the cottage?” asked Egwina of the dame.
“Did not Gunnehilde say so?” returned Adiva; “and is she not a wicca? I wot that it will be even as she hath said. Child, then thou canst not help but believe in thy rede. Was it not wonderful what she told thee?”
“Yes; but—” Egwina looked a little troubled.