The two others were silent, and Lavrans went on:
“’Tis in my mind, good Sirs, that had Erlend Nikulaussön not made great waste both of his goods and of his fame, you would scarce be sitting here pleading so strongly with a man of my estate that I should give my daughter to him. But I would be loth it should be said of Kristin that ’twas an honour for her to wed a great estate and a man from amongst the highest in the land—after the man had so beshamed himself, that he could not look to make a better match, or keep undiminished the honour of his house.”
He rose in heat, and began walking to and fro.
But Sir Munan started up:
“Now, before God, Lavrans, if the talk is of shame, I would have you know you are over-proud in—”
Sir Baard broke in quickly, going up to Lavrans:
“Proud you are, Lavrans—you are like those udal farmers we have heard of in olden times, who would have naught to do with the titles the Kings would have given them, because their pride could not brook that folk should say they owed thanks to any but themselves. I tell you, that were Erlend still master of all the honour and riches the boy was born to, yet would I never deem that I demeaned him or myself in asking a well-born and wealthy man to give his daughter to my foster-son, if I knew that the two young creatures might break their hearts if they parted. And the rather,” he said in a low voice, laying his hand on Lavrans’ shoulder, “if so it were that ’twould be best for the souls of both they should wed each other.”
Lavrans drew away from the other’s hand; his face grew set and cold:
“I scarce believe I understand your meaning, Sir Knight?”
The two men looked at each other for a space; then Sir Baard said: