"Silence! and listen!"
"I have loved thee truly, child, and have nurtured thee as a mother
would! and thou art no stranger! the same blood runs in our veins! Yes!
thou art mine! for thy father was my brother. Does not that give thee to
me? Hush! thou shalt hear the tale."
Hilda's were not the only ears that drank in every word of the following
story.
"Twenty years ago what a demi-god was Haco! He was a giant, but even men
who feared him loved him. Though brave and strong as Odin himself, his
mind was gentle and kind as a maiden's; first in council, in war, in
manly sports, he ever had an open ear and a helping hand for the
troubled and distressed. He was adored, nay, worshipped, by all. What
wonder then that when he and the proud chief Algar courted the same
maiden, he was preferred! Thou knowest not, Hilda, the mysteries of a
tender heart; may it be long indeed before thy heart is seared by human
passion!" It was fortunate that darkness hid the burning blush which
suffused Hilda's face and neck at this pious wish. Judith
proceeded:--"Thy father wedded and thou wast born. He poured on thy
infant form all the wealth of his great generous heart.
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