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268 now! A young maid would take this ring and think not of its worth in gold, but rather of how thou didst look, or how thou wouldst look, or of what thou didst think, or of what thou art going to think, or a hundred other pleasing fancies; but I wot, when one has travelled as far on the road as Queen Sigrid, she will first think of how much gold went to the making of this ring, and how many pounds went to the purchasing.”

“A peace upon thee, Thorgills! with all thy poet’s ravings. I like thy harp and thy song when I am at meat and when I am at leisure, but this is a matter of my kingdom and I have not time for considering the fancies of woman. No man can ever fathom their fancies.”

“But, my King,” the scald said thoughtfully, “the fancies of women, their whims even, have sometimes cost kingdoms and crowns.”

“Still must I say I will not stop to consider them. Go thou with all courtesy to Queen Sigrid,—she is the widow of a great king,—and give her the ring and say I wait upon her pleasure to come and urge the matter of our marriage. I know, Thorgills,” the king said affectionately, “this marriage is not greatly to thy liking. Thou wilt not forget all due reverence to the lady, seeing she burned up a hall full of suitors who were not to her liking.”

Thorgills’ mission was so successful that he returned to the king with a gracious message from