h roses.

Orme greeted her with a happy word as she sped by him, but Einar, who
was the stranger present, the master of the ship, looked after her, and
presently said, "Tell me, who is that beautiful person?"

Orme told him who she was and of what stock. Einar's colour was high.
"She is a prize for a good man indeed," he said. "And many and many a
man has tried after her, beyond doubt?"

"Many and many a man," said Orme; "you are right there. But she is not
for the first comer, nor yet for the second. I won't answer for
herself, if herself had anything to say in it--which isn't likely. But
for her father the Franklin, I will say as much as this, that he's a
great man, and knows it, though not so well to do as he was. And he
will be hard to come at in the matter of Gudrid."

Einar said no more about her just then, but turned to his affairs and
was busy all day long. Then, at supper-time, Orme took him home to his
house, where he was to stay so long as his occasions kept him in the
country. Halldis made him very welcome, and then Gudrid came into the
hall, and he had a greeting for her. He was young and fresh-coloured,
and showed fine white teeth when he smiled, which was often. He
produced his bales, presents for Halldis and Orme; and presently, while
they were all pulling over the things, he held up a jointed girdle of
wrought silver with crystals set in every square of it. This he
offered to Gudrid.

"For you, lady, if you will accept of it," he said. Gudrid drew back
and blushed. Then she looked at Halldis.

"Oh, may I?" she asked.

Halldis, who had her hands full of scarlet cloth, looked at the
glittering thing. "It is too good to refuse," she said. "And why
should you refuse it?"

"You will make me proud and contented if you will take it," Einar said.
"It will be a kind action on your part."

"Einar speaks well," said Orme. "Put it about you, Gudrid." Gudrid
put the belt round her waist and fastened it.

"That's a good fit," said Halldis. "It might have been made for you."

Einar was still looking at Gudrid, and smiling all the time.

"Does it please you, lady?" he said.

"It is beautiful," said Gudrid.

"It ought to be," Einar said. Then she thanked him fairly, and turned
and ran away to show herself to the maids in the bower. Einar was very
thoughtful for a time; but brightened up when Gudrid and the girls
brought in the meal, and served it. He told tales of his voyages and
e