aviest,
except one other only.

But Swanhild, going to her bower, caused Koll the Half-witted to be
summoned. To him she spoke long and earnestly, and they made a shameful
plot together. Then she bade Koll watch for Atli's coming and, when he
saw the Earl leave his boats, to run to him and say that she would speak
with him.

After this Swanhild sent a man across the firth to the stead where Hall
of Lithdale sat, bidding him to come to her at speed.

When the afternoon grew towards the evening, Koll, watching, saw the
boats of Atli draw to the landing-place. Then he went down, and, going
to the Earl, bowed before him:

"What wouldst thou, fellow, and who art thou?" asked Atli.

"I am a man from Iceland; perchance, lord, thou sawest me in Asmund's
hall at Middalhof. I am sent here by the Lady Swanhild to say that she
desires speech with thee, and that at once." Then, seeing Skallagrim,
Koll fled back to the house, for he feared Skallagrim.

Now Atli was uneasy in his mind, and, saying nothing, he hurried up to
the hall, and through it into Swanhild's bower.

There she sat on a couch, her eyes red with weeping, and her curling
hair unbound.

"What now, Swanhild?" he asked. "Why lookest thou thus?"

"Why look I thus, my lord?" she answered heavily. "Because I have to
tell thee that which I cannot find words to fit," and she ceased.

"Speak on," he said. "Is aught wrong with Eric?"

Then Swanhild drew near and told him a false tale.

When it was done for a moment or so Atli stood still, and grew white
beneath his ruddy skin, white as his beard. Then he staggered back
against the wainscoting of the bower.

"Woman, thou liest!" he said. "Never will I believe so vile a thing of
Eric Brighteyes, whom I have loved."

"Would that I could not believe it!" she answered. "Would that I could
think it was but an evil dream! But alas! Nay, I will prove it. Suffer
that I summon Koll, the Icelander, who was my mother's thrall--Groa
who now is dead, for I have that tidings also. He saw something of this
thing, and he will bear me witness."

"Call the man," said Atli sternly.

So Koll was summoned, and told his lies with a bold face. He was so well
taught, and so closely did his story tally with that of Swanhild, that
Atli could find no flaw in it.

"Now I am sure, Swanhild, that thou speakest truth," said the Earl when
Koll had gone. "And now also I have somewhat to say to this Eric. For
thee, rest thyself; that which