ere are many who hate
thee for thy state and wealth. Were it not wise to use this girl of
thine to build a wall about thee against the evil day?"

"I have been more wont, housekeeper, to trust to my own arm than to
bought friends. But tell me, for at the least thou art far-seeing, how
may this be done? As things are, though I spoke roughly to him last
night, I am inclined to let Eric Brighteyes take Gudruda. I have always
loved the lad, and he will go far."

"Listen, Asmund! Surely thou hast heard of Ospakar Blacktooth--the
priest who dwells in the north?"

"Ay, I have heard of him, and I know him; there is no man like him for
ugliness, or strength, or wealth and power. We sailed together on
a viking cruise many years ago, and he did things at which my blood
turned, and in those days I had no chicken heart."

"With time men change their temper. Unless I am mistaken, this Ospakar
wishes above all to have Gudruda in marriage, for, now that everything
is his, this alone is left for him to ask--the fairest woman in Iceland
as a housewife. Think then, with Ospakar for a son-in-law, who is there
that can stand against thee?"

"I am not so sure of this matter, nor do I altogether trust thee, Groa.
Of a truth it seems to me that thou hast some stake upon the race. This
Ospakar is evil and hideous. It were a shame to give Gudruda over to him
when she looks elsewhere. Knowest thou that I swore to love and cherish
her, and how runs this with my oath? If Eric is not too rich, yet he is
of good birth and kin, and, moreover, a man of men. If he take her good
will come of it."

"It is like thee, Asmund, always to mistrust those who spend their days
in plotting for thy weal. Do as thou wilt: let Eric take this treasure
of thine--for whom earls would give their state--and live to rue it. But
I say this: if he have thy leave to roam here with his dove the matter
will soon grow, for these two sicken each to each, and young blood is
hot and ill at waiting, and it is not always snow-time. So betroth her
or let him go. And now I have said."

"Thy tongue runs too fast. The man is quite unproved and I will try him.
To-morrow I will warn him from my door; then things shall go as they
are fated. And now peace, for I weary of thy talk, and, moreover, it is
false; for thou lackest one thing--a little honesty to season all thy
craft. What fee has Ospakar paid thee, I wonder. Thou at least hadst
never refused the gold ring to-night, for thou