"She will not tell her business," he said, "but begs earnestly to see the king."
"Bid her begone!" cried the earl. "The king is feasting with his guests."
"Did not her eyes sparkle and her trouble seem to leave her when she heard the king's foster-brother was here?" asked Helgi.
"I shall press his claims myself," said Estein, rising from his seat.
"Will you see her then?" asked the earl.
"Why not?" replied Estein. "Perchance she brings tidings of importance."
"If you rise at every strange woman's bidding you will have many suitors," said the earl.
"That is the lot of a king," replied Estein, with a smile.
The smile died quickly from his face as he walked down the hall, and men noticed that he looked grave and preoccupied again. It was not that his thoughts were running on this unusual summons; as he passed through the dark vestibule he felt only a little curiosity, and at the door he paused and looked out idly enough.
It was a fine starlight night, and down below he could see the glimmer of the sea, and across the fiord the black outline of the hills, and nearer at hand he heard the sough of the night breeze in the pines. Close outside, the tall, hooded figure of a woman stood clearly outlined, while he himself was obscured in shadow. At the second glance, something in the pose of his strange visitor struck his memory sharply. She seemed at first afraid to speak, and, with rising interest, he said courteously,—