The invitation was pleasing to the gods, and on the day appointed they
came, attired in their richest cloaks of silk and satin, green and
blue and yellow and purple, by a path through the waters whereby they
reached the coral caves of the Sea-god.

Very beautiful were these caves. The walls and ceilings were carved
with the most delicate fret-work of pink and cream and white, and a
faint green light shone into them from the ocean without.

The floor was covered with the finest silver sand, encrusted with
beautiful sea-shells, and the flowers with which the tables were
adorned were feathery sea-weeds and glowing sea-anemones. In the midst
of the floor was a mass of gold, so bright that it lighted up the
whole place as though with fire.

The dishes upon the table were filled with the most delicious fish, of
every kind and variety, and the gods sat down to the feast well
pleased, regretting only the absence of the well-loved Balder, and the
fact that Thor had been detained by a tempest, which kept him busy in
the regions of the dwarfs, from whence he hoped to travel to the
sea-caves directly his work was done.

Merrily went the banquet, for all the Asas were filled with goodwill
towards one another and towards their burly host, who sat at the head
of the board with his long grey beard sweeping his broad chest.

Suddenly into the midst of this cheerful scene fell a black shadow
from the entrance to the cave; and there, red and gaunt, and evil of
countenance, stood Loki, glowering upon them all.

At first the Asas sat in silence, their anger too deep for words. Then
Odin arose and sternly bade the intruder begone.

This was the signal for a storm of hatred in words so evil that they
poisoned the air. For a time the Asas pretended not to heed, but went
on quietly with the meal. One of them even tried to drown his speech
by talking loudly to old AEgir in praise of the servant who waited so
deftly upon them all. But at the word Loki sprang forward, knife in
hand, and killed the unfortunate serving-man before their eyes.

Then the Asa folk arose and cast out Loki with violence, threatening
him with dire punishment should he appear in their presence again.

Resuming their seats at the interrupted feast, they made brave efforts
to appear gay and cheerful; but scarcely had they begun to eat when
Loki came creeping in again disguised as a sea-serpent. Once in, he
resumed his proper form and began as before to revile the