Many then were satisfied and declared that her oath was perfectly good and that she was in no way disgraced by a man having touched her unwittingly.  She said she had to tell the story just as it happened, and then she swore the oath in the words appointed for her.  Many said that she would be observing the saying that:  Nothing should be omitted from an oath.  But she replied that wise men would hold that there was no cause for suspicion.  Then her relations began to talk with her and said that it was a great insult to a woman of high birth that such lies should be told about her and go unpunished, for they said it was an offence punishable with death if a woman were proved to have been unfaithful to her husband.  So Spes asked the bishop to divorce her from Sigurd, saying that she would not endure the lies which he had told.  Her kinsmen supported her, and with their help her request was granted.  Sigurd got little of the property and had to leave the country.  So it happened as usual that the weaker had to bow, nor could he accomplish anything although the right was on his side.  Spes took all the money and was held in high esteem, but when men came to consider her oath they thought it was not altogether above suspicion, and they concluded that very skilful men had composed the Latin formula for her.  They ferreted out that the beggar who carried her was Thorsteinn Dromund.  But Sigurd got no redress.

CHAPTER XC

THORSTEINN AND SPES RETURN TO NORWAY

While the affair was being talked about Thorsteinn Dromund remained with the Varangians, where he was held in such high estimation that his prowess was considered to be beyond that of nearly every man who had come to them.  Especially Harald the son of Sigurd did him honour, and claimed kinship with him; it was supposed to have been by his advice that Thorsteinn had acted.

Soon after Sigurd was driven from the country Thorsteinn proposed marriage to Spes; she was quite agreeable, but referred it to her kinsmen.  There were family meetings and all agreed that she herself ought to decide.  Matters were settled between them; their union was most prosperous and they had plenty of money.  Thorsteinn was considered lucky to have got out of his difficulties in such a way.  After they had lived together for two years in Constantinople, Thorsteinn told her that he would like to visit his property once more in Norway.  She said he should do as he pleased, and he then sold his property so as to have some ready money.  They left the country with a good company of followers and sailed all the way to Norway.  Thorsteinn’s kinsmen welcomed them both, and soon saw that Spes was both generous and noble; accordingly she quickly became very popular.  They had three children, and remained on their property very well contented with their condition.