“As you please, brother. We are only too glad to have you home again, to care much about that. But, now, I have something of importance to tell you about myself.”
Bladud was interested immediately; and for the moment forgot his own troubles as he gazed inquiringly into the fair countenance of the princess.
“I am going to wed, brother.”
“Indeed! You do not surprise me, though you alarm me—I know not why. Who is the man?—not Gunrig, I hope.”
“Alas! no. Poor Gunrig is dead.”
“Dead! Ah, poor man! I am glad we met at the Swamp.”
Bladud looked sad for a moment, but did not seem unduly oppressed by the news.
“The man who has asked me to wed is your friend Dromas.”
“What!” exclaimed the prince, in blazing surprise, not unmingled with delight. “The man has been here only a few hours! He must have been very prompt!”
“It does not take many hours to ask a girl to wed; and I like a prompt man,” returned the princess, looking pensively at the floor.