ogi's,' replied he, 'and the one which you think the
most beautiful of all you shall have for yourself, and learn to ride
him.'

At this Helga quite forgot the sheep and the cow.

'A horse of my own!' said she. 'Oh, stop one moment, and let me see
which I will choose. The white one? No. The chestnut? No. I think,
after all, I like the coal-black one best, with the little white star
on his forehead. Oh, do stop, just for a minute.'

But Habogi would not stop or listen. 'When you are married you will
have plenty of time to choose one,' was all he answered, and they rode
on two or three miles further.

At length Habogi drew rein before a small house, very ugly and
mean-looking, and that seemed on the point of tumbling to pieces.

'This is my house, and is to be yours,' said Habogi, as he jumped down
and held out his arms to lift Helga from the horse. The girl's heart
sank a little, as she thought that the man who possessed such
wonderful sheep, and cows, and horses, might have built himself a
prettier place to live in; but she did not say so. And, taking her
arm, he led her up the steps.

But when she got inside, she stood quite bewildered at the beauty of
all around her. None of her friends owned such things, not even the
miller, who was the richest man she knew. There were carpets
everywhere, thick and soft, and of deep rich colours; and the
cushions were of silk, and made you sleepy even to look at them; and
curious little figures in china were scattered about. Helga felt as if
it would take her all her life to see everything properly, and it only
seemed a second since she had entered the house, when Habogi came up
to her.

'I must begin the preparations for our wedding at once,' he said; 'but
my foster-brother will take you home, as I promised. In three days he
will bring you back here, with your parents and sisters, and any
guests you may invite, in your company. By that time the feast will be
ready.'

Helga had so much to think about, that the ride home appeared very
short. Her father and mother were delighted to see her, as they did
not feel sure that so ugly and cross-looking a man as Habogi might not
have played her some cruel trick. And after they had given her some
supper they begged her to tell them all she had done. But Helga only
told them that they should see for themselves on the third day, when
they would come to her wedding.

It was very early in the morning when the party set out, and Helga's