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254 and Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Ah! but he had a glorious reign after Leo crowned him, and his Franks became a power in the West. Then there was the noble Saxon Alfred. When he was a lad he was taken to Rome, and Stephen anointed him against his coronation, and so hallowed was he by this Roman sacring that he was the greatest and the wisest king the Saxons ever had. But I am only a sea-king, and the overlord of a wild North land, and my poor heathen Norraway is slow to grow Christian. But I will strive for this with all my strength.”

“We must strive together, my dear son,” answered the bishop, and after blessing the king affectionately, left the council room.

The day of his betrothal Thorgills met Father Reachta. “Give me greeting, my father!” the scald exclaimed, “for I have won the desire of my heart, though it comes in a dark hour. Jarl Fiachtna hath betrothed his sweet maid to me.”

The priest looked with great kindness at Thorgills, for whom he had a very cordial friendship. “I indeed give thee greeting, and I pray that every blessing may be thine with the gentle, virtuous wife thou hast gained.” Father Reachta passed on. As he heard Thorgills’ tidings, his heart was filled with a deep pity for the little maid, who he knew so greatly dreaded to remain in Norway, and to