alous broodings. And soon
her bitter jealousy was turned to deadly hate; for she remembered then,
how, in the days long past, a noble youth, more beautiful and more
glorious than the world would ever see again, had awakened her from the
deep sleep that Odin's thorn had given; and she remembered how Gunther
had won her by deeds of strength and skill which he never afterwards
could even imitate; and she thought how grand indeed was Kriemhild's
husband compared with her own weak and wavering and commonplace lord.
And her soul was filled with sorrow and bitterness and deepest misery,
when, putting these thoughts together, she believed that she had in some
way been duped and cheated into becoming Gunther's wife.

When at last the gay feast was ended, and most of the guests had gone
to their homes, she sought her husband, and thus broached the matter to
him.

"Often have I asked you," said she, "why your sister Kriemhild was given
in marriage to a vassal, and as often have you put me off with vague
excuses. Often, too, have I wondered why your vassal, Siegfried, has
never paid you tribute for the lands which he holds from you, and why he
has never come to render you homage. Now he is here in your castle; but
he sets himself up, not as your vassal, but as your peer. I pray you,
tell me what such strange things mean. Was an underling and a vassal
ever known before to put himself upon a level with his liege lord?"

Gunther was greatly troubled, and he knew not what to say; for he feared
to tell the queen how they had deceived her when he had won the games at
Isenstein, and how the truth had ever since been kept hidden from her.

"Ask me not to explain this matter further than I have already done,"
he answered. "It is enough that Siegfried is the greatest of all my
vassals, and that his lands are broader even than my own. He has helped
me out of many straits, and has added much to the greatness and strength
of my kingdom: for this reason he has never been asked to pay us
tribute, and for this reason we grant him highest honors."

But this answer failed to satisfy the queen.

"Is it not the first duty of a vassal," she asked, "to help his liege
lord in every undertaking? If so, Siegfried has but done his duty, and
you owe him nothing. But you have not told me all. You have deceived me,
and you would fain deceive me again. You have a secret, and I will find
it out."

The king made no answer, but walked silently and thoughtfu