e asked to give up these gods of ours, who, as it seems to
me, pay mighty little heed to us--and I knew that good exchange was
offered me--well then--I should--"

I ended that word for him.

"You would do even as your father, and say that unless for better
reason than gain--aye, however longed for--you would not."

"Aye--maybe I would, after all," he answered, and was silent.

Then he said, "Guthrum and I spoke just now, and he said that your
faith must be worth more than he knew, to set you so fixedly on
it."

Now I would have told him that it was so, but there came a little
sound at the door, and Halfden went and opened it. Across its half
darkness came a woman's form, and Osritha spoke in her soft voice.

"Brother, are you here yet?"

"Aye, sister, both of us--come and persuade this foolish Wulfric."

Then I spoke quickly, for it seemed to me that if Osritha spoke and
urged me, I should surely give way.

"Nay, but you must not persuade me--would you have had us
Christians bid your father choose between death and gain for the
sake of winning him to our faith?"

Then said Halfden, "That would I not."

But in the dark Osritha came to my side and clung to me, so that I
was between those two whom I loved and must lose, for Halfden held
my right hand, and Osritha my left, and she was weeping silently
for me.

"Listen," I said, for the speaking must be mine lest they should
prevail. "Should I die willingly for one who has given His life for
me?"

"Aye, surely--if that might be," said Halfden.

"Now it comes into my mind that hereafter you will know that I do
not die for naught. For He whom I worship died for me. Nor may I
refuse to spend life in His honour."

Then they were silent, until Osritha found her voice and said:

"We knew not that. I will not be the one to hold you from what is
right."

At that Halfden rose up, for he had found a seat of logs and sat by
me on it, sighing a long sigh, but saying:

"Well, this is even as I thought, and I will not blame you, my
brother. Fain would I have kept you here, and sorely will Osritha
pine when you are gone. But you shall not die, else will the
justice of Ulfkytel come to naught."

Then I heard again the clank of arms, and Halfden bent down, as I
might feel.

"Can you arm yourself in the dark?" he said.

"Why, surely! It is not for the first time," I answered.

He thrust my mail shirt against me, and laid a sword in my hand,
and set my helm on my