use I could do nothing there to improve my credit in any
way. My kin have disappeared like withered grass, and the Danes are
all-powerful. I do not wish to go to Norway because there I could never
be more than a runaway slave; and though I strove to my uttermost, it is
unlikely that I could ever acquire either wealth or influence,--and
without both how would it ever be possible to win you? See how the North
has conquered me! First it was only my body that was bound; and I was
sure that, if ever I got my freedom, I should enter the service of some
English lord and die fighting against the Danes. And now a Norse maiden
has conquered my heart, so that I would not take my liberty if it were
offered me! No, no, sweetheart; I have thought of it, night and day,
until at last I see the truth. The only chance I have is with Leif."

Helga wrung her hands violently. "You must be crazy if you think so! He
would strike you down the instant his eyes--"

"It is not my intention that he shall know me until he has had cause to
soften toward me. Do you not remember Skroppa's prophecy? has not Sigurd
told you of it?--that it is in this new untrodden country that my fate
is to be decided? I will disguise myself in some way, and go on this
exploring expedition among his following. I shall have many chances to
be of service to him."

"But suppose they should not come soon enough? Suppose your disguise
should be too shallow? His eyes are like arrows that pierce everything
they are aimed at. Suppose he should recognize you at once?"

The new grimness again squared Alwin's mouth. "Then one of two things
will happen. Either he will pardon me, for the sake of what I have
already endured; or else he will keep to his first intention, and kill
me. In neither case will we be worse off than we were four months ago."

Such logic admitted of no reply, and Helga gave way to it. But so much
anguish was betrayed in her face, that Alwin gave another short laugh
and asked her:

"Who is it now that love is making a coward of?"

She shook her head gravely. "I am no coward. It gladdens me to have you
face death in this way, and to know that you will not murmur even if
luck goes against you. But I do not wish you to throw your life away;
and you know no prudence. Let us speak of this disguise. What have you
fixed upon?"

"I acknowledge that I have accomplished very little. Solveig has told me
of a bark whose juice is such that with it I can turn my skin