o lives under the shadow of
a death sentence. She set her teeth over her lip to stop its trembling,
and stiffened herself to the iron composure of a shield-maiden.

"It is true that you are yet in great danger. His anger has not yet
departed from him, for not once has your name passed his lips. Sit down
here and tell me what you think of your case."

Alwin recalled the weeping and fainting of his mother's waiting-women,
in that far-off time of trouble, and pressed her hand gratefully as he
took his seat by her side upon the bench. "You are my brave comrade as
well as my best friend. I can talk with you as I would with Sigurd."

Just for a moment she laid her cheek against his shoulder. "It gladdens
me that you are content with me as I am, instead of wishing me to be
like Bertha of Trondhjem and other women," she whispered.

Then the memory linked with that name caused her to straighten again and
look at him doubtfully. "Has Solveig told you all the latest tidings?"

"She has told me nothing for a week. She is up at the hall just now,
helping with the spinning; but Editha was here two days ago. Is it of
King Olaf that you are thinking? She told me of the battle; and I am
full of sorrow for Leif. She told me that his room was draped in black,
and that he stopped preparing for his exploring voyage and shut himself
up for four days and four nights, without eating or speaking."

"He has begun his preparations again. His sorrow is not worth
considering. Or, rather, I shall grieve with him when he grieves for
you. The tidings that I mean concern Gilli of Trondhjem. Do you know
that he has come to take me away?"

She wanted to see the despair in his face, that she might feel how much
he cared; then she hastened to reassure him. "But do not trouble
yourself over that. Even though I go with him, it will do no harm. If he
tries to marry me to anyone, I will pretend that I think the marriage
beneath me. I will work upon his greediness, and so trick him into
waiting; and in a year you will come and rescue me."

"If I am alive!" Alwin interrupted her sharply. He sprang up and began
to pace the floor, clenching his fists and knocking them together. "If I
am alive I will come. But it is by no means unlikely that Leif will
carry out his intention. Then you will be left in Gilli's power
forever."

She laughed as she went to him and brought him back and pushed him down
upon the bench.

"See how love makes a coward of a man as w