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Rh without him, he must not find a thunderbolt under the smiling clouds. That would it be, I fear, to wed the dark Gudrun. But this must we not speak aloud, and least of all to Olaf. Should we vex his first fancy it would take sudden fire, even as a struggling flame grows to a blaze with the fretting of the wind.”

“Thou wilt not have the maiden near thee when Olaf visits thee?”

“Nay! my lord, nay! That would but start his wonder at her absence, his anger even if he thought she was unfairly treated. Gudrun is an earl’s daughter, and Olaf will not let pass a needless discourtesy even to an enemy. No! my lord, leave these matters with us weavers and spinners. They are as fine as the threads we are used to handling, and your very touch will but tangle and break them. I will not treat the maiden, Gudrun, otherwise than I have done, but by her side will I place the daintiest maids I can find. I like not that Olaf seems to find a likeness to Gyda in the girl, and I will search through the courts of the earls for maidens that are somewhat like what I have heard the Irish princess was. But the night grows, Sigvalde, my lord, and not many Paters and Aves may we say if further we talk. In our orisons let us bring this matter to mind, and we will give to the Virgin and the Saints a charge to help us in finding a fit maiden to rule with Olaf over Norway.”