rching of the floor. Thorbeorn rose from his chair
and said to Eric that they had better leave the pair together--but then
Gudrid looked wild. "May I not go now? Must I stay here?" Her eyes
asked so of Eric, but he only smiled. She caught at her father's
sleeve. Then Thorbeorn kissed her forehead and said a few words of
blessing. He and Eric went out together.

When they were gone Thore went over to Gudrid and put his arm firmly
round her. "I see, my dear, that you are upset by this news of ours.
Be sure that I understand it. My belief is, that you will be happy
with me. I have a good house, warm and dry. You will see company, you
will have your maids to see after; and when we have settled down
together--maybe before the end of the summer, we will take ship to
Iceland and pay a visit to my old mother who is in charge of my
property out there. Now let me hear your voice. I know how sweetly
you can talk--for I've heard you. And your singing makes me younger: a
dreamer of dreams."

He seemed kind; his arm was strong and temperate. She imagined him
much older than he was. But she didn't in the least know what to say
to him. He waited for her, still holding her close, but she said
nothing. So then: "Come, come," he said, "just a word or two"; and
when she looked up and saw him laughing, she laughed too; and then he
kissed her. "There," he said, "that is better," and drew her closer.

"You seem kind," she said.

"Ah," said Thore, "you will find me so. The fonder I grow the kinder I
shall be." He gave her a very friendly squeeze, and she began at once
to be sorry for this strong, gentle-hearted man as she thought him.

Her face was now against his shoulder, his black beard brushed and
tickled her forehead. She was rather breathless, but quite determined
to tell him her trouble. "There is something which I ought to tell
you."

"Is there, indeed? I thought that you might find your tongue perhaps,
if I gave you time."

"But I should have found it before," she said, "if it had not been for
my trouble."

"Well," he said, "and now for your trouble. Mind you, I've seen a good
deal of the world, and don't expect miracles out of the church. So if
you have had a sweetheart or two, think no more about it. Bless
you--do you think I don't know?"

"No," she said, "it's not that. But it is that I have heard prophecies
about myself. I am not a fortunate woman at all."

"Hum," he said. "Perhaps we had