“That shall be proved,” said Swanhild.  “At the least he is rich and noble, and the greatest of men in size.  It would go hard with Eric were those arms about him.”

“I am not so sure of that,” said Gudruda; “but it is not likely to be known.”

“Comes Eric to the feast by the road of Golden Falls, Gudruda?”

“Nay, no man may try that path and live.”

“Then he will die, for Eric will risk it.”

Now Gudruda thought, and a great fire burned in her heart and shone through her eyes.  “If Eric dies,” she said, “on thee be his blood, Swanhild—­on thee and that dark mother of thine, for ye have plotted to bring this evil on us.  How have I harmed thee that thou shouldst deal thus with me?”

Swanhild turned white and wicked-looking, for passion mastered her, and she gazed into Gudruda’s face and answered:  “How hast thou harmed me?  Surely I will tell thee.  Thy beauty has robbed me of Eric’s love.”

“It would be better to prate of Eric’s love when he had told it thee, Swanhild.”

“Thou hast robbed me and therefore I hate thee, and therefore I will deliver thee to Ospakar, whom thou dost loath—­ay and yet win Brighteyes to myself.  Am I not also fair and can I not also love, and shall I see thee snatch my joy?  By the Gods, never!  I will see thee dead, and Eric with thee, ere it shall be so! but first I will see thee shamed!”

“Thy words are ill-suited to a maiden’s lips, Swanhild!  But of this be sure:  I fear thee not, and shall never fear thee.  And one thing I know well that, whether thou or I prevail, in the end thou shalt harvest the greatest shame, and in times to come men shall speak of thee with hatred and name thee by ill names.  Moreover, Eric shall never love thee; from year to year he shall hate thee with a deeper hate, though it may well be that thou wilt bring ruin on him.  And now I thank thee that thou hast told me all thy mind, showing me what indeed thou art!” And Gudruda turned scornfully upon her heel and walked away.

Now Asmund the Priest went out into the courtyard, and meeting Ospakar Blacktooth, greeted him heartily, though he did not like his looks, and took him by the hand and led him to the hall, that was bravely decked with tapestries, and seated him by his side on the high seat.  And Ospakar’s thralls brought good gifts for Asmund, who thanked the giver well.

Now it was supper time, and Gudruda came in, and after her walked Swanhild.  Ospakar gazed hard at Gudruda and a great desire entered into him to make her his wife.  But she passed coldly by, nor looked on him at all.

“This, then, is that maid of thine of whom I have heard tell, Asmund?  I will say this:  fairer was never born of woman.”

Then men ate and Ospakar drank much ale, but all the while he stared at Gudruda and listened for her voice.  But as yet he said nothing of what he came to seek, though all knew his errand.  And his two sons, Gizur and Mord, stared also at Gudruda, for they thought her most wonderfully fair.  But Gizur found Swanhild also fair.