Untitled

THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 27
failed to make this monetary offering to the Tutelary Saint met with some
terrible reverse or died before the year was out.
Haco marched boldly up to the monastery gate, and requested the porter
The Prince had
to conduct him to the presence of the Father Superior.
little difficulty in obtaining an interview, for there was something commanding
in his tone and presence. Nor did the Abbot seem greatly surprised
when Haco told him that he had come to beg permission to woo
the Princess Thyra.
"Thou art bold and impetuous," the Abbot answered, after listening
patiently to the Prince, " and thou shouldst remember that it is not usual
for a man, even though he be of royal blood, to seek a bride in the very
shadow of the Church. It is true our daughter has not entered the
Church nor broken all ties with the world, for she is only placed under
our care until the political storms which now shake her father's throne
have passed away. At the same time it must not be forgotten that the
sanctity of the Church is around her, and it is our duty to protect her
honour and her virtue."
"
I come here in the character of one who desires to woo her for my
wife," the Prince answered "
proudly. I am of royal birth, and unstained
honour, and would die to shield hers."
"
That is nobly spoken," the Abbot "
returned, and if I were quite
sure that thou wert not mistaking passion for love I might be tempted to
encourage thy wooing."
"
Nay, why should you doubt me," Haco exclaimed, " my name and
birth are a sufficient gurrantee that I am sincere, and to give you even
better assurance I vow by the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary that if
the Princess Thyra will wed nie she shall be my wife."
As he spoke he raised his hand and placed it reverently on a small
crucifix that stood upon the table. The Abbot was silent for a few
minutes and then he
"
said My son, I give thee my blessing."
Haco knelt, and the Holy Father placed his hand upon the Prince's
head and murmured a short prayer.
"
I thank you, father," the Prince answered as he
"
rose, and I beg, in
acknowledgment of my gratitude, to bestow a thousand rnerks towards the
support of this monastery."
In a few minutes from this Prince Haco had the pleasure of once
more beholding the lady who had made so great an impression upon him.
Nor was she less impressed with him. That interview led to others un-
til they became plighted lovers.
At the moment that this story commences Prince Haco was waiting
for a boat to arrive from the island to convey him back, so that he might
spend an hour with his beloved Thyra, this being the time granted
him by the Abbot at each interview. He had fallen into a half dream
state in which his only thought was Princess Thyra. For some time the
drowsy hum of a drowsy bee as it buzzed round his head was the only
sound he heard, but presently he started up, for the plash of oars had
broken the stillness. A boat, rowed by a stalwart monk, was nearing the
and the
shore, and when it touched the strand Prince Haco jumped in,
monk pulled back to Isle Maree.
The golden light had given place to a deep, scarlet blush so to speak,