"True, maiden. The past is past. I rejoice that you would now bury it, and accept friendship instead of bitterness."
A look too subtle even for the Northman's eyes flitted across the girl's face, and she tightened the handclasp which he was relaxing.
"It is then peace and--friendship," she said. "Come; the questions begin,--Deacon Alcuin fingers his scrolls. Yonder is a bench behind the others. You shall sit beside me and enlighten my dull wit."
"As you will," replied Olvir, and he turned at once to comply.
As the couple seated themselves on a bench in the rear of the main group of students, Alcuin selected one of the scrolls handed him by his pupils, and bowed to the king.
"Your Majesty, all is in readiness," he said.
At the word, Karl glanced about the hall. All present except Alcuin were now seated; but the king gazed up and down the benches until he caught sight of Olvir. Then he nodded and replied: "It is well; the lesson will now begin. Summon all your lore, my dear teacher. We have with us to-day a new-comer whose wits are keen as his sword."
"Such learning, sire, as I have gained from the Holy Fathers, I stand ready to impart. But who may say that he knows all of wisdom? Not even Solomon, son of David, could so claim."
"What is wisdom?" queried Karl.
"The fruit of knowledge,--the soul of learning."