telling Hauskuld their business,
and began to woo; then Hauskuld answered--

"As for you, I know how you both stand in the world, but for my own part
I will use no guile towards you. My daughter has a hard temper, but as
to her looks and breeding you can both see for yourselves."

"Lay down the terms of the match," answered Thorwald, "for I will not
let her temper stand in the way of our bargain."

Then they talked over the terms of the bargain, and Hauskuld never asked
his daughter what she thought of it, for his heart was set on giving her
away, and so they came to an understanding as to the terms of the match.
After that Thorwald betrothed himself to Hallgerda, and rode away home
when the matter was settled.

CHAPTER X.

HALLGERDA'S WEDDING.

Hauskuld told Hallgerda of the bargain he had made, and she said--

"Now that has been put to the proof which I have all along been afraid
of, that thou lovest me not so much as thou art always saying, when thou
hast not thought it worth while to tell me a word of all this matter.
Besides, I do not think the match as good a one as thou hast always
promised me."

So she went on, and let them know in every way that she thought she was
thrown away.

Then Hauskuld said--

"I do not set so much store by thy pride as to let it stand in the way
of my bargains; and my will, not thine, shall carry the day if we fell
out on any point."

"The pride of all you kinsfolk is great," she said, "and so it is not
wonderful if I have some of it."

With that she went away, and found her foster-father Thiostolf, and told
him what was in store for her, and was very heavy-hearted. Then
Thiostolf said--

"Be of good cheer, for thou wilt be married a second time, and then they
will ask thee what thou thinkest of the match; for I will do in all
things as thou wishest, except in what touches thy father or Hrut."

After that they spoke no more of the matter, and Hauskuld made ready the
bridal feast, and rode off to ask men to it. So he came to Hrutstede and
called Hrut out to speak with him. Hrut went out, and they began to
talk, and Hauskuld told him the whole story of the bargain, and bade him
to the feast, saying--

"I should be glad to know that thou dost not feel hurt though I did not
tell thee when the bargain was being made."

"I should be better pleased," said Hrut, "to have nothing at all to do
with it; for this match will bring luck neither to him nor to her; but
st