nd settled hate she felt towards
him. But the dark-browed chief cared nought either for love or hate; and
he walked erect, as in the days of yore, and he smiled and frowned alike
for both evil and good. And he said, "It was not I: it was the Norns,
who wove the woof of his life and mine."

The years went by on leaden wings, and brought no sunlight to Gunther's
dwelling; for his days were full of sadness, and his nights of fearful
dreams. At length he said to chief Hagen, "If there is aught in the
mid-world that can drive away this gloom, I pray thee to help me find
it; for madness steals upon me."

"There is one thing," answered Hagen, "which might brighten our land
again, and lift up your drooping spirits, and bring gladness to your
halls."

"What is that?" asked the king.

"It is the Nibelungen Hoard," said the chief. "It is the wondrous
treasure of Andvari, which Siegfried gave as a gift to Kriemhild. If it
were ours, we might become the masters of the world."

"But how can we obtain it?"

"It is Kriemhild's," was the answer. "But she does not care for it;
neither could she use it if she wished. If you could only gain her favor
and forgiveness, I feel sure that she would let you do with it as you
wish."

Then Gunther besought his younger brothers to intercede for him with
Kriemhild, that she would so far forgive him as to look upon his face,
and speak with him once more. And this the queen at last consented to
do. And, when Gunther came into her presence, she was so touched at
sight of his haggard face and whitened locks, and his earnest words
of sorrow, that she forgave him the great wrong that he had done, and
welcomed him again as her brother. And he swore that never would he
again wrong her or hers, nor do aught to grieve her. But it was not
until a long time after this, that he proposed to her that they should
bring the Hoard of Andvari away from the Nibelungen Land.

"For, if it were here, dear sister," he said, "it might be of great use
to you."

"Do whatever seems best to you," answered Kriemhild. "Only remember the
oath that you have given me."

Then Gunther, because he was anxious to see the wondrous Hoard, but more
because he was urged on by Hagen, made ready to send to the Nibelungen
Land to bring away the treasure by Kriemhild's command. Eight thousand
men, with Gernot and Giselher as their leaders, sailed over the sea in
stanch vessels, and landed on the Nibelungen shore. And when they told