robes.

He insisted, moreover, upon wearing his own shirt of mail and his
girdle of strength; and these took much drapery to hide. Great was the
laughter in the halls of Asgard that night as the Battle Maidens
brushed and curled Thor's long yellow hair, and set a jewelled
headdress upon it; and finally, when the maidens proceeded to cover up
his thick beard and angry eyes with a silken veil, the mirth of the
Asas was unrestrained. To complete the disguise, the maidens hung
round his neck the famous necklet, which had now been re-strung, and
finally Frigga, the wife of All-Father Odin, secured at his girdle the
great bunch of keys proper to brides at a wedding in the Northland.

While this was being done, Loki, more than all, had been convulsed
with merriment at the success of his mischief-making. The very sight
of Thor's disgusted looks, and of his great hands clenched with rage
under the delicate veil, nearly killed him with laughter; and when all
was ready he declared himself unable to lose an atom of the fun in
store.

"Let me go with you," he implored. "See, I will dress myself as your
handmaiden. Ah, you had better agree, for without me to prompt you,
you will never play your part."

So Loki was dressed as a waiting-maid, and took his seat very
demurely by the side of Thor in the goat-car. Loud was the laughter in
Asgard as the Asas watched the two drive off together and heard the
roar of the Thunderer's voice issuing from the folds of a meek
maiden's veil as he urged his goats upon their course. Long and stormy
was that ride to Giantland, for Thor was still in the worst of
tempers, and drove his chariot so furiously that

"The mountains crashed,
The earth stood in flames,"

as the hoofs of the goats clattered over mountains and waters,
striking sparks wherever they touched a rock.

Thrym was much overjoyed when he heard that a chariot containing the
two maidens was approaching his door. Away ran his servants in
different directions, some with orders to make ready a grand banquet,
some to prepare the chamber of the bride, some to receive her at the
door.

The giant himself assisted them to alight, and looked with admiration
at the stately figure of his bride; but he made no attempt to see her
face, since it is the custom in the Northland for the bride to remain
veiled until the marriage has been completed.

"A bride worthy of a giant!" murmured his servants, as he led her to a
lofty seat besid