celand without my will.

GUNNAR. Thy claim is just; what youth has marred, the man must mend.
Long have I looked for thee, Ornulf, for this cause; and if amends
content thee, we shall soon be at one.

SIGURD. So deem I too. Ornulf will not press thee hard.

GUNNAR (warmly). Nay, Ornulf, didst thou crave her full worth, all
my goods would not suffice.

ORNULF. I shall go by law and usage, be sure of that. But now
another matter. (Pointing to KARE.) Seest thou yonder man?

GUNNAR. Kare! (To ORNULF.) Thou knowest, then, that there is a
strife between us?

ORNULF. Thy men have stolen his cattle, and theft must be atoned.

GUNNAR. Murder no less; he has slain my thrall.

KARE. Because he flouted me.

GUNNAR. I have offered thee terms of peace.

KARE. But that had Hiordis no mind to, and this morning, whilst thou
wert gone, she fell upon me and hunts me now to my death.

GUNNAR (angrily). Is it true what thou sayest? Has she----?

KARE. True, every word.

ORNULF. Therefore the peasant besought me to stand by him, and that
will I do.

GUNNAR (after a moment's thought). Honourably hast thou dealt with
me, Ornulf; therefore is it fit that I should yield to thy will. Hear
then, Kare: I am willing to let the slaying of the thrall and the
wrongs done toward thee quit each other.

KARE (gives GUNNAR his hand). It is a good offer; I am content.

ORNULF. And he shall have peace for thee and thine?

GUNNAR. Peace shall he have, here and overall.

SIGURD (pointing to the right). See yonder!

GUNNAR (disturbed). It is Hiordis!

ORNULF. With armed men!

KARE. She is seeking me!

(HIORDIS enters, with a troop of house-carls. She is clad in
black, wearing a kirtle, cloak, and hood; the men are armed
with swords and axes; she herself carries a light spear.)

HIORDIS (stops on entering). A meeting of many, meseems.

DAGNY (rushes to meet her). Peace and joy to thee, Hiordis!

HIORDIS (coldly). Thanks. It was told me that thou wast not far
off. (Comes forward, looking sharply at those assembled.) Gunnar,
and--Kare, my foeman--Ornulf and his sons and---- (As she catches
sight of SIGURD, she starts almost imperceptibly, is silent a moment,
but collects herself and says:) Many I see here who are known to me--
but little I know who is best minded towards me.

ORNULF. We are all well-minded towards thee.

HIORDIS. If so be, thou wilt not deny to gi