none could tell.

Now, Allogia was still but two and twenty years of age, and very
fair, and the king did not like that she should be seen holding
speech with his handsome steward, for fear that Sigurd should win
her heart. But one day in the early winter time the queen came upon
Sigurd in the great hall, where he was alone with Olaf, teaching
the boy to read the runes carved in the black oak behind the king's
high seat.

Olaf stood back as she entered, but his eyes rested fearlessly upon
her. She wore a blue woven mantle ornamented with lace, and under
it a scarlet kirtle with a silver belt. There was a band of gold
round her head, and her fine brown hair reached down to her waist
on both sides. She approached the steward, and said as he turned
to withdraw from the hall:

"I pray you, go on with your lesson, hersir."

"Your pardon, lady," said Sigurd, "I was but teaching the lad the
rune of King Rurik, and it is of no account that I should continue."

"Not often have I heard of a mere slave boy learning runes,"
returned Allogia; "such knowledge is only meant for those who are
of high estate." She paused and looked round at Olaf, who stood
apart with his hand caressing the head of a great dog that had risen
from before the fire. "And yet," added the queen thoughtfully, "I
would say that this boy Ole, as you call him, has no serf's blood
in him. His fairness is that of a kingly race. What is his parentage,
Hersir Sigurd? You who have shown him so much favour, who have