“I would not ask.”
Bioultach turned a key in the door, and let in Maunus, who spent two hours and a-half inside.
“Maunus, are you coming out?”
“Did you not promise me an hour?”
“I have given you two hours and a-half. Be coming out now.”
“I will not come. But I must get that woman in marriage, or I will not leave a head on you or on the king.”
“Oh, wait patiently till I tell you who she is.”
“Make haste and ask her of the king.”
Bioultach went in and threw himself on his knees before the king. “Bioultach,” said the king, “what is it you want? It cannot be that it is that hard-fortuned daughter of mine that Maunus has seen.”
“Oh, it is she; and he says that unless he gets her in marriage he will not leave a head on yourself or on me.”