is spoken more in overweening pride than in wise forethought if you refuse such a man as is Bolli.  But as long as I am alive, I shall look out for you, my children, in all affairs which I know better how to see through things than you do.”  And as Osvif took such a strong view of the matter, Gudrun, as far as she was concerned, would not give an utter refusal, yet was most unwilling on all points.  The sons of Osvif’s urged the matter on eagerly, seeing what great avail an alliance with Bolli would be to them; so the long and short of the matter was that the betrothal took place then and there, and the wedding was to be held at the time of the winter nights.[5] Thereupon Bolli rode home and told this settlement to Olaf, who did not hide his displeasure thereat. [Sidenote:  The wedding] Bolli stayed on at home till he was to go to the wedding.  He asked his uncle to it, but Olaf accepted it nowise quickly, though, at last, he yielded to the prayers of Bolli.  It was a noble feast this at Laugar.  Bolli stayed there the winter after.  There was not much love between Gudrun and Bolli so far as she was concerned.  When the summer came, and ships began to go and come between Iceland and Norway, the tidings spread to Norway that Iceland was all Christian.  King Olaf was very glad at that, and gave leave to go to Iceland unto all those men whom he had kept as hostages, and to fare whenever they liked.  Kjartan answered, for he took the lead of all those who had been hostages, “Have great thanks, Lord King, and this will be the choice we take, to go and see Iceland this summer.”  Then King Olaf said, “I must not take back my word, Kjartan, yet my order pointed rather to other men than to yourself, for in my view you, Kjartan, have been more of a friend than a hostage through your stay here.  My wish would be, that you should not set your heart on going to Iceland though you have noble relations there; for, I take it, you could choose for yourself such a station in life in Norway, the like of which would not be found in Iceland.”  Then Kjartan answered, “May our Lord reward you, sire, for all the honours you have bestowed on me since I came into your power, but I am still in hopes that you will give leave to me, no less than to the others you have kept back for a while.”  The king said so it should be, but avowed that it would be hard for him to get in his place any untitled man such as Kjartan was. [Sidenote:  Kjartan prepares to leave Norway] That winter Kalf Asgeirson had been in Norway and had brought, the autumn before, west-away from England, the ship and merchandise he and Kjartan had owned.  And when Kjartan had got leave for his journey to Iceland Kalf and he set themselves to get the ship ready.  And when the ship was all ready Kjartan went to see Ingibjorg, the king’s sister.  She gave him a cheery welcome, and made room for him to sit beside her, and they fell a-talking together, and Kjartan tells Ingibjorg that he has arranged his journey to Iceland.  Then Ingibjorg