was
jealous of Eric's strength and beauty, and did not love him.

"Trust nothing that thou seest and little that thou hearest, girl," said
Asmund, raising himself from thought: "so shall thy guesses be good.
Eric, come here and tell us how thou didst chance on Gudruda in the
snow."

"I was not so ill seated but that I could bear to stay," grumbled Eric
beneath his breath; but Gudruda said "Go."

So he went and told his tale; but not all of it, for he intended to ask
Gudruda in marriage on the morrow, though his heart prophesied no luck
in the matter, and therefore he was not overswift with it.

"In this thing thou hast done me and mine good service," said Asmund
coldly, searching Eric's face with his blue eyes. "It had been said if
my fair daughter had perished in the snow, for, know this: I would set
her high in marriage, for her honour and the honour of my house, and so
some rich and noble man had lost great joy. But take thou this gift in
memory of the deed, and Gudruda's husband shall give thee another such
upon the day that he makes her wife," and he drew a gold ring off his
arm.

Now Eric's knees trembled as he heard, and his heart grew faint as
though with fear. But he answered clear and straight:

"Thy gift had been better without thy words, ring-giver; but I pray thee
to take it back, for I have done nothing to win it, though perhaps the
time will come when I shall ask thee for a richer."

"My gifts have never been put away before," said Asmund, growing angry.

"This wealthy farmer holds the good gold of little worth. It is foolish
to take fish to the sea, my father," sneered Bjoern.

"Nay, Bjoern, not so," Eric answered: "but, as thou sayest, I am but a
farmer, and since my father, Thorgrimur Iron-Toe, died things have not
gone too well on Ran River. But at the least I am a free man, and I will
take no gifts that I cannot repay worth for worth. Therefore I will not
have the ring."

"As thou wilt," said Asmund. "Pride is a good horse if thou ridest
wisely," and he thrust the ring back upon his arm.

Then people go to rest; but Swanhild seeks her mother, and tells her all
that has befallen her, nor does Groa fail to listen.

"Now I will make a plan," she says, "for these things have chanced well
and Asmund is in a ripe humour. Eric shall come no more to Middalhof
till Gudruda is gone hence, led by Ospakar Blacktooth."

"And if Eric does not come here, how shall I see his face? for, mother,
I long