It seemed more like flying ! But at length , breathless and exhausted , he reached her side , and gasped out : ` Madam , pardon me for my hasty words just now ; I was wrong , and will thankfully accept the offer you made me . ' ` Ah , I thought you would come to your senses , ' answered she , in rather an odd voice . ` We have no time to lose -- follow me at once , ' and they went on silently and swiftly till they stopped at the door of a small house in which the priest lived . Before him the old woman bade the prisoner swear that she should be his wife , and this he did in the presence of witnesses . Then , begging the priest and the guards to leave them alone for a little , she told the young man what he was to do , when the next morning he was brought before the king and the judges . The hall was full to overflowing when the prisoner entered it , and all marvelled at the brightness of his face . The king inquired if he had any excuse to plead for the high treason he had committed by striking the heir to the throne , and , if so , to be quick in setting it forth . With a low bow the youth made answer in a clear voice : ' O my lord and gracious king , and you , nobles and wise men of the land , I leave my cause without fear in your hands , knowing that you will listen and judge rightly , and that you will suffer me to speak to the end , before you give judgment . ` For four years , you , O king , had been married to the queen and yet had no children , which grieved you greatly . The queen saw this , and likewise that your love was going from her , and thought night and day of some plan that might put an end to this evil . At length , when you were away fighting in distant countries , she decided what she would do , and adopted in secret the baby of a poor quarryman , sending a messenger to tell you that you had a son . No one suspected the truth except a priest to whom the queen confessed the truth , and in a few weeks she fell ill and died , leaving the baby to be brought up as became a prince . And now , if your highness will permit me , I will speak of myself . ' ` What you have already told me , ' answered the king , ` is so strange that I can not imagine what more there is to tell , but go on with your story . ' ` One day , shortly after the death of the queen , ' continued the young man , ` your highness was hunting , and outstripped all your attendants while chasing the deer . You were in a part of the country which you did not know , so seeing an orchard all pink and white with apple-blossoms , and a girl tossing a ball in one corner , you went up to her to ask your way . But when she turned to answer you , you were so struck with her beauty that all else fled from your mind . Again and again you rode back to see her , and at length persuaded her to marry you . She only thought you a poor knight , and agreed that as you wished it , the marriage should be kept secret .
` After the ceremony you gave her three rings and a charm with a cross on it , and then put her XXXXX a cottage in the forest , thinking to hide the matter securely .
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