e two of us. Do you trust me?"

"Yes," she said, "I do trust you."

"Why then," said Karlsefne, "will you give yourself to me?"

She thought. "You shall ask Eric if he is willing," she told him. "He
loves me, and he is an old man. Since my father died he has been
father to me. I have had nothing but love and kindness from him and
his family. I will not leave him now, if he needs me--for he knows,
and I know, that if I leave him again it will be for the last time."

Karlsefne drew near her and put his arm about her. "I will ask
him--but if he agrees you will come?" She smiled and nodded her head.
Then, "Will you kiss me?" he said.

"Is that in the bargain?"

He drew her close to him. "Oh, Gudrid, kiss me once. I'm on fire."
So then she kissed him.

Eric looked rather chap-fallen. "You are asking me for the jewel on my
breast," he said.

"That I know very well," said Karlsefne.

"She is not only a fair woman, but a wise and good woman. She is
sweet-mannered, and sweet-natured. The soothsay about her is that she
will rear a great race."

"She shall, if I have anything to do with it," said Karlsefne. "You
know the name they give me."

"I think highly of you," Eric allowed. "Everything speaks well for
you. But I will tell you this. If my son Leif were not entangled with
a foreign woman, an earl's daughter by whom he has got a son, it would
have been my joy to see him take Gudrid and rear that great race to my
name. But it may well be that she will fulfil her destiny with you
rather."

"I believe she will," said Karlsefne. "The moment I clapped eyes on
her I said to myself, 'There stands before you the sweetest woman that
lightens the world.' And I have had no other thought or desire since
which has not drawn me to her. If you will give her to me you will do
me the utmost service one man can do another. And she will come to me
if you say the word. I tell you that."

Eric said it should be as he wished. The last feast that fine old man
was ever to see was that which he made for Gudrid's wedding with
Karlsefne.

XXIV

Directly he was married Karlsefne began to talk about the Wineland
voyage, first to Gudrid, and then to the company at Brattalithe, where
he still lived. Gudrid was eager to go. She had always wanted that;
and when she found herself with child, that did not deter her--nor her
husband either. "I am a prosperous man," he said, "and bring good
fortune with me.