No,
Erling, thy suit will prosper, depend on't. It is I who have reason to
despond, for Ada loves me not."

Erling, who heard all this with a certain degree of satisfaction,
smiled, shook his head, and said:

"Nay, then, Glumm, thou too art mistaken. The dark-eyed Ada laughs at
everyone, and besides, I have good reason to know that her interest in
thee is so great that she consulted me to-day about--about--a--"

The promise of secrecy that he had made caused Erling to stammer and
stop.

"About what?" asked Glumm.

"I may not tell thee, friend. She bound me over to secrecy, and I must
hold by my promise; but this I may say, that thou hast fully greater
cause for hope than I have."

"Then it is my opinion," said Glumm, "that we have nothing to do but
shake hands and proceed on our journey."

Erling laughed heartily, sheathed his sword, and grasped his friend's
hand, after which they remounted and rode forward; but they did not now
ride in silence. Their tongues were effectually loosened, and for some
time they discussed their respective prospects with all the warmth and
enthusiasm of youthful confidants.

"But Ada perplexes me," suddenly exclaimed Glumm, in the midst of a
brief pause; "I know not how to treat her."

"If thou wilt take my advice, Glumm, I will give it thee."

"What is that?" asked Glumm.

"There is nothing like fighting a woman with her own weapons."

"A pretty speech," said Glumm, "to come from the lips of a man who never
regards the weapons of his foes, and can scarce be prevailed on to carry
anything but a beloved battle-axe."

"The case is entirely the reverse when one fights with woman," replied
Erling. "In war I confess that I like everything to be straightforward
and downright, because when things come to the worst a man can either
hew his way by main force through thick and thin, or die. Truly, I
would that it were possible to act thus in matters of love also, but
this being impossible--seeing that women will not have it so, and insist
on dallying--the next best thing to be done is to act on their own
principles. Fight them with their own weapons. If a woman is outspoken
and straightforward, a man should be the same--and rejoice, moreover,
that he has found a gem so precious. But if she _will_ play fast and
loose, let a man--if he does not give her up at once--do the same. Give
Ada a little taste of indifference, Glumm, and thou wilt soon bring her
down. Laugh at her as