"At the least he is rich and
noble, and the greatest of men in size. It would go hard with Eric were
those arms about him."

"I am not so sure of that," said Gudruda; "but it is not likely to be
known."

"Comes Eric to the feast by the road of Golden Falls, Gudruda?"

"Nay, no man may try that path and live."

"Then he will die, for Eric will risk it."

Now Gudruda thought, and a great fire burned in her heart and shone
through her eyes. "If Eric dies," she said, "on thee be his blood,
Swanhild--on thee and that dark mother of thine, for ye have plotted to
bring this evil on us. How have I harmed thee that thou shouldst deal
thus with me?"

Swanhild turned white and wicked-looking, for passion mastered her, and
she gazed into Gudruda's face and answered: "How hast thou harmed me?
Surely I will tell thee. Thy beauty has robbed me of Eric's love."

"It would be better to prate of Eric's love when he had told it thee,
Swanhild."

"Thou hast robbed me and therefore I hate thee, and therefore I will
deliver thee to Ospakar, whom thou dost loath--ay and yet win Brighteyes
to myself. Am I not also fair and can I not also love, and shall I see
thee snatch my joy? By the Gods, never! I will see thee dead, and Eric
with thee, ere it shall be so! but first I will see thee shamed!"

"Thy words are ill-suited to a maiden's lips, Swanhild! But of this be
sure: I fear thee not, and shall never fear thee. And one thing I know
well that, whether thou or I prevail, in the end thou shalt harvest the
greatest shame, and in times to come men shall speak of thee with hatred
and name thee by ill names. Moreover, Eric shall never love thee; from
year to year he shall hate thee with a deeper hate, though it may well
be that thou wilt bring ruin on him. And now I thank thee that thou
hast told me all thy mind, showing me what indeed thou art!" And Gudruda
turned scornfully upon her heel and walked away.

Now Asmund the Priest went out into the courtyard, and meeting Ospakar
Blacktooth, greeted him heartily, though he did not like his looks, and
took him by the hand and led him to the hall, that was bravely decked
with tapestries, and seated him by his side on the high seat. And
Ospakar's thralls brought good gifts for Asmund, who thanked the giver
well.

Now it was supper time, and Gudruda came in, and after her walked
Swanhild. Ospakar gazed hard at Gudruda and a great desire entered into
him to make her his wife. But she passed