ights. Now at length, as the afternoon drew on to
evening, from Stonefell's crest they saw the Hall of Middalhof before
them, and Eric's heart swelled in his breast. Yet they must wait till
darkness fell before they dared enter the place, lest they should be
seen and notice of their coming should be carried to Gizur and Swanhild.
And this came into the mind of Eric, that of all the hours of his life
that hour of waiting was the longest. Scarcely, indeed, could Skallagrim
hold him back from going down the mountain side, he was so set on coming
to Gudruda whom he should wed that night.

At length the darkness fell, and they went on. Eric rode swiftly down
the rough mountain path, while Skallagrim and the two men followed
grumbling, for they feared that their horses would fall. At length they
came to the place, and riding into the yard, Eric sprang from his
horse and strode to the women's door. Now Gudruda stood in the porch,
listening; and while he was yet some way off, she heard the clang of
Brighteyen's harness, and the colour came and went upon her cheek. Then
she turned and fled to the high seat of the hall, and sat down there.
Only two women were left in Middalhof with her, and some thralls who
tended the kine and horses. But these slept, not in the hall, but in an
outhouse. Gudruda had sent the rest of her people down to the ship to
help in the lading, for it was given out that the vessel sailed on the
morrow. She had done this that there might be no talk of the coming of
Eric to Middalhof.

Now Brighteyes came to the porch, and, finding the door wide, walked
in. But Skallagrim and the men stayed without a while, and tended the
horses. A fire burned upon the centre hearth in the hall, and threw
shadows on the panelling. Eric walked on by its light, looking to left
and right, but seeing neither man nor woman. Then a great fear took
him lest Gudruda should be gone, or perhaps slain of Swanhild, Groa's
daughter, and he trembled at the thought. He stood by the fire, and
Gudruda, watching from the shadow of the high seat, saw the dull light
glow upon his golden helm, and a sigh of joy broke from her lips. Eric
heard the sigh and looked, and as he looked a stick of pitchy driftwood
fell into the fire and flared up fiercely. Then he saw. There, in the
carved high seat, robed all in bridal white, sat Gudruda the Fair,
his love. Her golden hair flowed about her breast, her white arms were
stretched towards him, and on her s