"Indeed," she said, "I'll never be afraid of the helmet again,
if only you will not lay down your head there, and say you are
alone."
"Never, Thekla! while you are my little wife," said he; and, child as
she was, there was strange solace to his heart in the eyes that, once
vacant and wondering, had now gained a look of love and intelligence.
"What are you going to do?" she said, shuddering a little, as he rose
and laid his hand on Friedel's sword.
"To make thee gird on thine own knight's sword," said Ebbo,
unbuckling that which he had so long worn. "Friedel," he added,
"thou wouldst give me thine. Let me take up thy temper with it,
thine open-hearted love and humility."
He guided Thekla's happy little fingers to the fastening of the belt,
and then, laying his hand on hers, said gravely, "Thekla, never speak
of what I said just now--not even to the mother. Remember, it is thy
husband's first secret."
And feeling no longer solitary when his hand was in the clasp of
hers, he returned to the hall, where his father was installed in the
baronial chair, in which Ebbo had been at home from babyhood.
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