But when evening was come, and all the company was merry, Deirdre was
wearied with journeying, and she lay upon a couch draped with deerskins,
and played with Nathos upon the gold and ivory chess-board.
And as Deirdre rested, the door opened, and there entered a messenger from
the King. And this messenger was none other than Lavarcam, who had been
sent to discover if Deirdre were still as fair as in days of old. And when
Lavarcam beheld Deirdre, her eyes filled with tears. 'You do not well, O
Nathos, thus to play upon the chess-board which Concobar holds dearer than
aught else save Deirdre, thy wife. Both have ye taken from him, and here,
within these walls, are ye now in his power.'
Of a sudden Deirdre spake, her gaze fixed as if on some strange thing. 'I
see as in a dream. As in a dream I see three torches. The three torches
are this night put out. The names on the torches are Nathos, Ailne, Ardan.
Alas! it is but for the beauty of a woman that these brave ones perish.'
The sons of Usna were silent awhile, and the sons of Fergus spake not.
Then said Nathos, 'It were better, Deirdre, to be a torch quenched for thy
sake than to live for aught save thee. That which shall come, shall come.'
'Now must I get me hence,' said Lavarcam, 'for Concobar awaiteth my
coming. But, sons of Usna, see ye well to it, that the doors and windows
be this night barred.
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