“And didst thou have speech with her on this matter?”
“Somewhat.”
Now Gudruda drew herself away from Eric’s side.
“What was the purport of thy speech?” she said, looking down. “Speak truly, Eric.”
“It came to little,” he answered. “I told her that there was one in Iceland to whom I was betrothed, and to Iceland I must go.”
“And what said this Elfrida, then?”
“She said that I should get little luck at the hands of Gudruda the Fair. Moreover, she asked, should my betrothed be faithless to me, or put me from her, if I should come again to England.”
Now Gudruda looked him in the face and spoke. “Say, Eric, is it in thy mind to sail for England in the spring, if thou canst escape thy foes so long?”
Now Eric took counsel with himself, and in his love and doubt grew guileful as he had never been before. For he knew well that Gudruda had this weakness—she was a jealous woman.
“Since thou dost put me from thee, that is in my mind, lady,” he answered.