And Grania, giving little heed to the matter, made answer, 'If Finn be a fitting son-in-law for my father, the King, then may he well be a worthy husband for me.'
When Oisin the son of Finn and Dering his friend heard these words they were glad, for they knew not how little thought the Princess gave to her words.
And Cormac made a feast for the champions, and ere they departed he told them that after two weeks Finn should come thither.
So the warriors bade farewell to the palace of Cormac and went back to Allen, and there they told Finn that after two weeks he should go to Tara and wed the fair Grania.
Slow sped the days, but when they were passed, Finn, with many chiefs and nobles as his guard, marched to Tara. And there Cormac received him right royally and made ready a great feast. On his right hand sat Finn and on his left the Queen. And next the Queen sat Grania.
Now it chanced that the chief who sat on the other side of Grania was a story-teller, and the Princess listened gladly to the tales he told.
But when he ceased from his tales Grania asked, 'Wherefore is it that Finn hath come hither to feast?'
And the chief, filled with wonder that the Princess should question him thus, made answer, 'Of a truth hath Finn come hither this day to claim thee for his wife.'
Then Grania bethought her of the words she had spoken to Oisin the son of Finn and to Dering his friend, and of how she spake without heed. And now was Finn come hither to seek her for his wife.
A long, deep silence fell upon the Princess, while her eyes roved among the goodly company.
At length she turned again to the chief who sat next her. 'Of this goodly company,' she said, 'I know none save Oisin the son of Finn and Dering his friend. Tell me, I pray thee, who sitteth yonder by Oisin's side?'
And the chief told his name and sang his praise.
Again Grania asked, 'And who, I pray thee, sitteth by his side?'
And the chief told his name and sang his praise.
Afterwards Grania sought of the chief the names of many of the nobles, and he told her, and he told too of the deeds they had done.
Then the Princess called her handmaid and said, 'Bring me from my room the jewelled drinking horn.' And the handmaiden brought it and Grania filled it to the brim and said, 'Take it to Finn, and say that I would have him drink from it.'
And Finn drank from the drinking horn, and then passed it to Cormac the King. And the King drank from it and also the Queen.
Then again Grania filled the drinking horn to the brim, and yet again, until all whom she wished to drink had drunk from it. And it was not long until a deep sleep had fallen upon all who had drunk.
Grania then rose slowly from her seat and crossed the hall to where Dermat sat, for Dermat, of those nobles that Finn brought with him, pleased her the best. And to him she spake thus: