well pleased about it, and said he thought the woman was in all ways one of the noblest as far as he could see.  The next morning men were sent to Asgeir to ask him to Asbjornness. [Sidenote:  Kjartan marries Hrefna] And now they had a parley between them on this affair, and Kjartan wooed Hrefna, Asgeir’s daughter.  Asgeir took up the matter with a good will, for he was a wise man, and saw what an honourable offer was made to them.  Kalf, too, urged the matter on very much, saying, “I will not let anything be spared (towards the dowry).”  Hrefna, in her turn, did not make unwilling answers, but bade her father follow his own counsel.  So now the match was covenanted and settled before witnesses.  Kjartan would hear of nothing but that the wedding should be held at Herdholt, and Asgeir and Kalf had nothing to say against it.  The wedding was then settled to take place at Herdholt when five weeks of summer had passed.  After that Kjartan rode home with great gifts.  Olaf was delighted at these tidings, for Kjartan was much merrier than before he left home.  Kjartan kept fast through Lent, following therein the example of no man in this land; and it is said he was the first man who ever kept fast in this land.  Men thought it so wonderful a thing that Kjartan could live so long without meat, that people came over long ways to see him.  In a like manner Kjartan’s other ways went beyond those of other men.  Now Easter passed, and after that Kjartan and Olaf made ready a great feast.  At the appointed time Asgeir and Kalf came from the north as well as Gudmund and Hall, and altogether there were sixty men.  Olaf and Kjartan had already many men gathered together there.  It was a most brave feast, and for a whole week the feasting went on. [Sidenote:  The coif] Kjartan made Hrefna a bridal gift of the rich head-dress, and a most famous gift was that; for no one was there so knowing or so rich as ever to have seen or possessed such a treasure, for it is the saying of thoughtful men that eight ounces of gold were woven into the coif.  Kjartan was so merry at the feast that he entertained every one with his talk, telling of his journey.  Men did marvel much how great were the matters that entered into that tale; for he had served the noblest of lords—­King Olaf Tryggvason.  And when the feast was ended Kjartan gave Gudmund and Hall good gifts, as he did to all the other great men.  The father and son gained great renown from this feast.  Kjartan and Hrefna loved each other very dearly.

CHAP.  XLVI

Feast at Herdholt and the Loss of Kjartan’s Sword, A.D. 1002