I have another errand in thy house; it is to thee I come.

HIORDIS. To me? After all that befell yesterday?

DAGNY. Just because of that. Hiordis, foster-sister, do not hate
me; forget the words that sorrow and evil spirits placed in my mouth;
forgive me all the wrong I have done thee; for, trust me, I am tenfold
more hapless than thou!

HIORDIS. Hapless--thou! Sigurd's wife!

DAGNY. It was _my_ doing, all that befell--the stirring up of
strife, and Thorolf's death, and all the scorn that fell upon Gunnar
and thee. Mine is all the guilt! Woe upon me!--I have lived so
happily; but after this day I shall never know joy again.

HIORDIS (as if seized by a sudden thought). But before--in these
five long years--all that time hast thou been happy?

DAGNY. Canst thou doubt it?

HIORDIS. Hm; yesterday I doubted it not; but----

DAGNY. What meanest thou?

HIORDIS. Nay, 'tis nought; let us speak of other matters.

DAGNY. No truly. Hiordis, tell me----!

HIORDIS. It will profit thee little; but since thou wilt have it
so---- (With a malignant expression.) Canst thou remember once, over
in Iceland--we had followed with Ornulf thy father to the Council,
and we sat with our playmates in the Council Hall, as is the manner
of women. Then came two strangers into the hall.

DAGNY. Sigurd and Gunnar.

HIORDIS. They greeted us in courteous fashion, and sat on the
bench beside us; and there passed between us much merry talk. There
were some who must needs know why these two vikings came thither, and
if they were not minded to take them wives there in the island. Then
said Sigurd: "It will be hard for me to find the woman that shall be
to my mind." Ornulf laughed, and said there was no lack of high-born
and well-dowered women in Iceland; but Sigurd answered: "The warrior
needs a high-souled wife. She whom I choose must not rest content
with a humble lot; no honour must seem to high for her to strive for;
she must go with me gladly a-viking; war-weed must she wear; she must
egg me on to strife, and never wink her eyes where sword-blades
lighten; for if she be faint-hearted, scant honour will befall me."
Is it not true, so Sigurd spake?

DAGNY (hesitatingly). True, he did--but----

HIORDIS. _Such_ was she to be, the woman who could make life fair
to him; and then--(with a scornful smile) then he chose thee!

DAGNY (starting, as in pain). Ha, thou wouldst say that----?

HIORDIS. Doubtless