give thyself to Ospakar Blacktooth. I hear also that thou hast done
this deed because a certain man, Hall of Lithdale--whom from his youth
up I have known for a liar and a knave, and whom thou thyself didst
mistrust in years gone by--has come hither to Iceland from Orkneys,
bearing a tale of Eric's dealings with thy half-sister Swanhild. This I
hear, further: that Swanhild, Atli's widow, hath come out to Iceland and
laid a suit against Eric for the slaying of Atli the Earl, her husband,
and that Eric has been outlawed and his lands at Coldback are forfeit.
Tell me now, Gudruda, Asmund's daughter, if these tales be true?"

"The tales are true, mother," said Gudruda.

"Then hearken to me, girl. Eric sprang from my womb, who of all living
men is the best and first, as he is the bravest and most strong. I have
reared this Eric from a babe and I know his heart well. Now I tell thee
this, that, whatever Eric has done or left undone, naught of dishonour
is on his hands. Mayhap Swanhild has deceived him--thou art a woman, and
thou knowest well the arts which women have, and the strength that Freya
gives them. Well thou knowest, also, of what breed this Swanhild came;
and perchance thou canst remember how she dealt with thee, and with what
mind she looked on Eric. Perchance thou canst remember how she plotted
against thee and Eric--ay, how she thrust thee from Goldfoss brink.
Say, then, wilt thou take her word? Wilt thou take the word of this
witch-daughter of a witch? Wilt thou not think on Groa, her mother, and
of Groa's dealings with thy father, and with Unna my kinswoman? As the
mother is, so shall the daughter be. Wilt thou cast Eric aside, and that
unheard?"

"There is no more room for doubt, mother," said Gudruda. "I have proof
of this: that Eric has forsaken me."

"So thou thinkest, child; but I tell thee that thou art wrong! Eric
loves thee now as he loved thee aforetime, and will love thee always."

"Would that I could believe it!" said Gudruda. "If I could believe that
Eric still loved me--ay, even though he had been faithless to me--I
would die ere I wed Ospakar!"

"Thou art foolish, Gudruda, and thou shalt rue thy folly bitterly. I
am outworn, and death draws near to me--far from me now are hates and
loves, hopes and fears; but I know this: that woman is mad who, loving a
man, weds where she loves not. Shame shall be her portion and bitterness
her bread. Unhappy shall she live, and when she comes to die, but as