“Ay and evil. When I love Swanhild, then thou mayest love Ospakar.”
“It is a bargain,” she said, laughing. “Good luck go with thee in the wrestling,” and with a kiss she left him, fearing lest she should be seen.
Eric went back to the hall, and sat down by the centre hearth, for all men slept, being still heavy with drink, and presently Swanhild glided up to him, and greeted him.
“Thou art greedy of deeds, Eric,” she said. “Yesterday thou camest here by a path that no man has travelled, to-day thou dost wrestle with a giant for thine eye, and presently thou goest up against Skallagrim!”
“It seems that this is true,” said Eric.
“Now all this thou doest for a woman who is the betrothed of another man.”
“All this I do for fame’s sake, Swanhild. Moreover, Gudruda is betrothed to none.”
“Before another Yule-feast is spread, Gudruda shall be the wife of Ospakar.”
“That is yet to be seen, Swanhild.”
Now Swanhild stood silent for a while and then spoke: “Thou art a fool, Eric—yes, drunk with folly. Nothing but evil shall come to thee from this madness of thine. Forget it and pluck that which lies to thine hand,” and she looked sweetly at him.