t none shall
say that he saw me bowed. (He goes slowly out.)

HIORDIS (with forced laughter). Ay, let him go as he will; we
shall scarce need many men to face him should he come with strife
again! Now, Dagny--I wot it is the last time thy father shall sail
from Iceland on such a quest!

SIGURD (indignant). Oh, shame!

DAGNY (likewise). And thou canst scoff at him--scoff at him, after
all that has befallen?

HIORDIS. A deed once done, 'tis wise to praise it. This morning
I swore hate and vengeance against Ornulf;--the slaying of Jokul I
might have forgotten--all, save that he cast shame upon my lot. He
called me a leman; if it _be_ so, it shames me not; for Gunnar is
mightier now than thy father; he is greater and more famous than
Sigurd, thine own husband!

DAGNY (in wild indignation). There thou errest, Hiordis--and even
now shall all men know that thou dwellest under a weakling's roof!

SIGURD (vehemently). Dagny, beware!

GUNNAR. A weakling!

DAGNY. It shall no longer be hidden; I held my peace till thou
didst scoff at my father and my dead brothers; I held my peace while
Ornulf was here, lest he should learn that Thorolf fell by a dastard's
hand. But now--praise Gunnar nevermore for that deed in Iceland; for
Gunnar is a weakling! The sword that lay drawn between thee and the
bear-slayer hangs at my husband's side--and the ring thou didst take
from thy arm thou gavest to Sigurd. (Takes it off and holds if aloft.)
Behold it!

HIORDIS (wildly). Sigurd!

THE CROWD. Sigurd! Sigurd did the deed!

HIORDIS (quivering with agitation). He! he!--Gunnar, is this true?

GUNNAR (with lofty calm). It is all true save only that I am a
weakling; I am neither a weakling nor a coward.

SIGURD (moved). That art thou not, Gunnar! That hast thou never
been! (To the rest.) Away, my men! Away from here!

DAGNY (at the door, to HIORDIS). Who is now the mightiest man at
the board--my husband or thine?

HIORDIS (to herself). Now have I but one thing left to do--but one
deed to brood upon: Sigurd or I must die!

ACT THIRD.

(The hall in GUNNAR'S house. It is day.)
(HIORDIS sits on the bench in front of the smaller high-seat busy
weaving a bow-string; on the table lie a bow and some arrows.)

HIORDIS (pulling at the bow-string). It is tough and strong; (with
a glance at the arrows) the shaft is both keen and well-weighted--
(lets her hands fall in her lap) but where is the hand