over what was to
come. Thorstan had seen behind it. He knew. But Gudrid had
forgotten, and he would not tell her. As for Gudrid herself, the glory
was to have Thorstan find her so lovely, and her love so full, was
enough for her. She lived on his needs. To fill them was her utmost
desire, and to be to him a never-failing well was a crown of stars.
She seldom spoke; she was as silent as the earth below the rains and
heats of heaven, and as receptive. She neither asked nor pondered what
was to be the end of this rapturous dream. If she had, her utmost
desire would have been that they should die together in some nuptial
sleep, and lie still, folded under the snow.

But Fate ordered it otherwise. The day came when they heard the
knocking of oars, and then while they lay clasped, listening, a great
voice hailing the ship. They looked at each other. "The dream is
over," Thorstan said. "My love, the world is about us again." She
clung to him. "Let us stay here--let nobody forbid us that." "Nay,
but I must go out and see who is coming."

He dressed and went on deck. A large man muffled to the eyes in a
bearskin was below him in a boat, standing up in it holding on to the
side. He pulled open his hood and showed a red face, black beard and a
pair of merry eyes.

The two hailed each other, and then the new-comer said, "They told me
in the Settlement that you were under the weather here. It will have
gone hard with you, I doubt. And your lady with you! Now I make known
to you that I am Thorstan of this place, called commonly Thorstan
Black, and at your service."

Thorstan said: "Then I must be Thorstan Red, for Thorstan is my name,
and the red is of Nature's doing, and my father's. I am Eric's son of
Ericsfrith. I was making the western voyage, but was driven out of my
course in a gale, and forced to beat up here against my will. My men
are in the Settlement, but I and the good wife could find no better
quarters than these."

"I will show you better," said Thorstan Black. "I knew nothing of your
coming till last night when a man came up asking for fuel. You shall
come off with me now if you will. In a week's time you will be able to
walk ashore. My mistress will be glad of your company, and so shall I
be."

"Thank you for that," said Thorstan. "We take your offer gladly." He
asked him up, but Thorstan Black said he was very well where he was.

Gudrid was dressed when he came down for her. Th