ot tell me
instantly."

"It would not matter much if you did. I am to have new clothes,--of
black velvet with bands of ermine. But hearken now: Leif has accepted
the invitation! Even Valbrand thinks this a great wonder. At this moment
Sigurd is selecting the chief's richest dress, and Rolf is getting out
the most costly of the gifts that were brought from Norway."

Helga set down her pan for the express purpose of clapping her hands.
"Now I am well content; for at last they will see him in all his glory,
and know what manner of man they have treated with disrespect. I have
hoped with all my heart for such a thing as this, but by no means did I
think he cared enough to do it."

Alwin shook his head hastily. "You must not get it into your mind that
it is to improve his own honor that he does it now. I know that for
certain. It is to give his mission a good appearance."

Helga picked up her pan with a sigh. "When he begins to preach that to
them, he will knock it all over again."

Alwin considered it his duty to frown at this; but it must be confessed
that something very similar was in his own thoughts as he followed his
lord into Thorkel Farserk's feasting-hall that night. Whatever his
religion, the guardsman's rank and his gallant appearance and fine
manners compelled admiration and respect. It could not but seem a pity
to his admirers that soon, with one word, he would be forced to undo it
all.

"It is harder than the martyrdom of the saints," Alwin murmured
bitterly. Then his eye fell upon the silver crucifix, shining pure and
bright on Leif's breast, and he realized the unworthiness of his
thoughts, and resigned himself with a sigh.

But he found that even yet Leif's purposes were beyond him. Never, by so
much as a word, did the guardsman refer to the subject of the new
religion,--though again and again his skilful tongue won for him the
attention of all at the table. He spoke of battles and of feasts, and of
the grandeur of the Northmen. With the old men he discussed Norwegian
politics; with the young ones he talked of the famous champions of King
Olaf's guard. To the women who wished to know concerning the King's
house, and the Queen, he answered with the utmost patience. He described
everything, from weddings to burials, with the skill of a minstrel and
the weight of an authority, and always with the tact of a courtier.

Gradually whispers of praise circled around the board, whispers that
fell like sweete