nery--a gold belt at her waist, a gold brooch on her
breast, a string of amber beads around the white neck that showed
coquettishly above the snowy kerchief--banished the last traces of the
shield-maiden, For the first time, it occurred to Alwin that she was
more than a good comrade,--she was a girl, a beautiful girl, the kind
that some day a man would love and woo and win. He gazed at her with
wonder and admiration, and something more; gazed so intently that he did
not see Egil's eyes fastened upon him.

Helga laughed at his surprise; then she frowned. "If you say that you
like me better in these clothes, I shall be angry with you," she
whispered sharply.

Fortunately, Alwin was not obliged to commit himself. At that moment the
headwoman or housekeeper, who was also mistress of ceremonies in the
absence of the steward, came bustling through the crowd, and divided the
men from the women, indicating to every one his place according to the
strictest interpretation of the laws of precedence.

If there had been more time for preparation there would have been a
larger company to greet the returned guardsman. Yet the messengers
Thorhild had hastily despatched had brought back nearly a score of
chiefs and their families; and what with their additional attendants,
and Leif's band of followers, and Eric's own household, there were few
empty places along the walls.

According to custom, Eric sat in his high-seat between two lofty carved
pillars midway the northern length of the hall. Thorhild sat in the seat
with him; the high-born men were placed upon his right; the high-born
women were upon her left. Opposite them, as became the guest of honor
and his father's eldest son, Leif was established in the other
high-seat. Tyrker, weazened and blinking, and swaddled in furs, sat on
one side of him; Jarl Harald's son was on the other, merry-eyed,
fresh-faced, and dressed like a prince. On either hand, like beads on a
necklace, the crew of the "Sea-Deer" were strung along. Kark came the
very last of the line, in the lowest seat by the door. Alwin had fresh
cause to be grateful to the fate that had changed their stations. His
place was on the foot-stool before Leif's high-seat, guarding the
chief's cup. It was an honorable place, and one from which he could see
and hear, and even speak with Sigurd when anything happened that was too
interesting to keep to himself.

Among Leif's men there were many temptations to consult together. No