held that these two must soon be wed! Ah, thou art foolish now, Asmund.
Young blood makes light of cold or death. Art thou blind, or dost thou
not see that these two turn on each other like birds at nesting-time?"

"They might do worse," said Asmund, "for they are a proper pair, and it
seems to me that each was born for each."

"Then all goes well. Still, it is a pity to see so fair a maid cast like
rotten bait upon the waters to hook this troutlet of a yeoman. Thou hast
enemies, Asmund; thou art too prosperous, and there are many who hate
thee for thy state and wealth. Were it not wise to use this girl of
thine to build a wall about thee against the evil day?"

"I have been more wont, housekeeper, to trust to my own arm than to
bought friends. But tell me, for at the least thou art far-seeing, how
may this be done? As things are, though I spoke roughly to him last
night, I am inclined to let Eric Brighteyes take Gudruda. I have always
loved the lad, and he will go far."

"Listen, Asmund! Surely thou hast heard of Ospakar Blacktooth--the
priest who dwells in the north?"

"Ay, I have heard of him, and I know him; there is no man like him for
ugliness, or strength, or wealth and power. We sailed together on
a viking cruise many years ago, and he did things at which my blood
turned, and in those days I had no chicken heart."

"With time men change their temper. Unless I am mistaken, this Ospakar
wishes above all to have Gudruda in marriage, for, now that everything
is his, this alone is left for him to ask--the fairest woman in Iceland