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270 supposed was an intentional slight, she prepared to meet the Norwegian king.

It was a very stately hall at Konghelle, where Queen Sigrid had gathered her attendants to welcome her royal suitor. As King Olaf rode up to the door, all the household was impressed with his majestic appearance. After greeting him, Queen Sigrid led the way to the banquet hall where the feast was spread. Courtesy required that the matter on which he had journeyed should not be at once introduced; and Olaf inwardly chafed that he must wait another day before beginning his negotiations for Queen Sigrid’s hand.

“Not much like a suitor doth he seem,” decided the lady, as she noted Olaf’s independence of manner. Not a great deference did the viking pay the lady; and her attendants, accustomed to her haughty rule, wondered how their proud mistress would brook the Norwegian lack of condescension.

The morning after his arrival, King Olaf, fretting at the delay, strode into the room where Queen Sigrid sat with her maids. The king’s ring was worn conspicuously on her right hand. Close behind Olaf came Thorgills.

“Wilt thou, noble lady,” the king said, bowing courteously, “out of thy kindness, give a little heed to some poor words of mine?”

Queen Sigrid bent her head in assent. Her heart softened at the words and the grace of the king.