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178 Then rising, the Lady Aastrid called for more lights, and for the house carles to gather at prayer. With Earl Sigvalde, she passed from the room where they had been discoursing, down a long hall, the servants following in the order of their respective offices in the household. At the end of the hall Aastrid opened the door of an oratory. The room was a small square one, and the walls were adorned with sacred pictures, set in jewels after the Greek fashion. A large crucifix hung in the centre, and beneath this the lectern, at which the lady sat and read homilies from the writings of the early fathers of the church, and beside which she knelt to recite the Paters and Aves.

The whirring sound of the spinning-wheels in Lady Aastrid’s guest hall grew softer, as the scald Thorgills strung his harp to sing the sagas to the bright-eyed maidens and handsome wives around him. Thorgills had come from the court that afternoon to sing for Aastrid and her guests, and to tell the earl’s wife that the king would presently visit her in person.

A tall, dark maiden, seated on the right of the hostess heard the news unmoved. Her head was held erect, and no smile came to her face as Thorgilis’ news set all the room to smiling.

“Didst thou hear, Gudrun?” asked the sweet voice of the girl on Lady Aastrid’s left, “the king is coming!”