Inthecastle,BiornandGabrielleandFolkoofMontfauconweresittingroundthegreatstonetable,fromwhich,sincethearrivalofhisnobleguests,thosesuitsofarmourhadbeenremoved,formerlytheestablishedcompanionsofthelordofthecastle,andplacedalltogetherinaheapintheadjoiningrooAtthistime,whilethestormwasbeatingsofuriouslyagainstdoorsandwindows,itseemedasiftheancientarmourwerealsostirringinthenextroom,andGabrielleseveraltimeshalfrosefromherseatingreatalarm,fixinghereyesonthesmallirondoor,asthoughsheexpectedtoseeanarmedspectreissuetherefrom,bendingwithhismightyhelmetthroughthelowvaulteddoorway.
TheknightBiornsmiledgrimly,andsaid,asifhehadguessedherthoughts:"Oh,hewillneveragaincomeoutthence;Ihaveputanendtothatforever."Hisguestsstaredathimdoubtingly;andwithastrangeairofunconcern,asthoughthestormhadawakenedallthefiercenessofhissoul,hebeganthefollowinghistory: