as a housewife. Think then, with Ospakar for a son-in-law, who is there
that can stand against thee?"

"I am not so sure of this matter, nor do I altogether trust thee, Groa.
Of a truth it seems to me that thou hast some stake upon the race. This
Ospakar is evil and hideous. It were a shame to give Gudruda over to him
when she looks elsewhere. Knowest thou that I swore to love and cherish
her, and how runs this with my oath? If Eric is not too rich, yet he is
of good birth and kin, and, moreover, a man of men. If he take her good
will come of it."

"It is like thee, Asmund, always to mistrust those who spend their days
in plotting for thy weal. Do as thou wilt: let Eric take this treasure
of thine--for whom earls would give their state--and live to rue it. But
I say this: if he have thy leave to roam here with his dove the matter
will soon grow, for these two sicken each to each, and young blood is
hot and ill at waiting, and it is not always snow-time. So betroth her
or let him go. And now I have said."

"Thy tongue runs too fast. The man is quite unproved and I will try him.
To-morrow I will warn him from my door; then things shall go as they
are fated. And now peace, for I weary of thy talk, and, moreover, it is
false; for thou lackest one thing--a little honesty to season all thy
craft. What fee has Ospakar paid thee, I wonder. Thou at least hadst
never refused the gold ring to-night, for thou wouldst do much for
gold."

"And more for love, and most of all for hate," Groa said, and laughed
aloud; nor did they speak more on this matter that night.