now , when the countess fraukirk had been away upon her wicked errand , strange things were happening at the castle at kirkwall . for harold , encouraged by his brother 's absence , offered his heart and hand once more to the lady morna . once more she refused him , and in order to make sure that the scene should not be repeated , she told him that she had plighted her troth to his brother . when he heard that this was so , rage and fury were like to devour him . mad with anger , he rushed from her presence , flung himself upon his horse , and rode away in the direction of the sea shore . while he was galloping wildly along , his eyes fell on the snow - clad hills of hoy rising up across the strip of sea that divided the one island from the other . and his thoughts flew at once to snorro the dwarf , who he had had occasion , as well as his step - aunt , to visit in bygone days . " i have it , " he cried . " stupid fool that i was not to think of it at once . i will go to snorro , and buy from him a love - potion , which will make my lady morna hate my precious brother and turn her thoughts kindly towards me . "
why did lady morna tell harold that she was engaged to his brother ?
she did not want him to bother her anymore .
top stop harold from proposing again .