"This Harald grew to be a very handsome boy, tall and strong and
of great intelligence. He was fond of manly sports, and his skill
and beauty brought him the favour and admiration of all men of the
northland. Well, when Harald was still a youth of ten winters, his
father was one day crossing the ice on the Randsfjord when the ice
broke under him and he was drowned, so his kingdom fell to his son.
The kings whom Halfdan the Swarthy had conquered then bethought
them that they might win back what lands they had lost, and they
accordingly made war against the young king. Many battles were
fought, but Harald was always victorious. Instead of yielding to
his enemies he soon extended his dominions until they stretched as
far north as Orkadale. And then he was content."

Sigurd here raised his eyes and looked across at Allogia as she
silently plied her busy needle.

"It is a long story, lady," he said; "and it may be that it is not
new to you."

"Tell it to the end," returned the queen.

"There lived at that time in Valders a maid named Gyda," continued
Sigurd. "She was the daughter of King Erik of Hordaland, and King
Harald, hearing that she was exceedingly fair and high minded would
fain have her to be his wife. So he sent forth messengers to her,
asking her to wed with him. Now the maid was proud as well as
beautiful, and when she received this message she answered thus:
'Tell your master,' she said, 'that I will not sacrifice myself
to be the wife of a king who has no more realm to rule over than a
few counties. Marvellous it seems to me that there is no king who