" Gunther answered, and, unseen by Siegfried, he motioned
his sister to leave the hall before they entered it.

"These lands and people are mine," he continued, leading the way.
"This great hall is my heritage, and my kinsmen are legion. I give all
to you; share all with me. Let us dwell together in peace." At this
saying a beautiful light came into Siegfried's face.

"I have neither kinsmen nor lands," he answered, much moved; "but I
have this good sword, Nothung, which I forged myself and it, with my
life, shall be thine." Thus they made a compact of brotherhood.

"Dost thou not own the treasure of the Nibelungen, then?" Hagen asked.

"True, but when I won it I let all but the ring and the Tarnhelm lie.
I cared naught for the gold." He held up the Tarnhelm for them to see.

"Aye, 'tis the Tarnhelm!" Hagen cried. "Thou hast only to set it on
thy head to be transformed into what thou wilt. Put it on thy head and
wish it so, and thou wilt be transported in a trice to other lands.
But there is also the ring----"

"Aye," Siegfried said tenderly; "but that is held by a woman," Hagen
and Gunther looked at each other, meaningly, for they knew he spoke of
Bruennhilde.

"Brother, call Gutrune to bring Siegfried a refreshing drink," Hagen
said, and Gunther opening the door called to his sister who came out
and offered the magic drink to the knight.

No sooner had he drunk, than he raised his eyes to thank Gutrune and
beholding her, loved her.

"I drink to thee, dear Bruennhilde," he had been about to say, but
looking, he loved another.

"What is thy sister's name?" he asked of Gunther in a low voice,
scarcely daring to speak for fear his love would depart.

"Gutrune."

"I must have her for my wife. Hast thou not a wife, Gunther--why hast
thou none?" he said, not waiting for one question to be answered
before asking another.

"Alas, I have no wife because I have set my heart on one I may not
have. I long for Bruennhilde, the Valkyrie maid who lies surrounded by
fire--and I may not cross the flame."

"What! Is that thy only reason for being lonely? Then thou shalt have
thy Bruennhilde. If Gutrune may be mine, I will win thy Bruennhilde for
thee. Wearing the Tarnhelm I shall change my shape to thine, and as
thy brother go through fire for thee and bring forth the maid."

"Ah," the Gibichung cried, joyfully; "our oath of brotherhood upon
that! Gutrune shall be thine, thou ours, Bruennhilde mine."

Thus it was agr