Page:The collected works of Henrik Ibsen (Heinemann Volume 2).djvu/113

 *in these five long years—all that time hast thou been happy?

Canst thou doubt it?

Yesterday I doubted it not; but

What meanest thou?

Nay, 'tis nought; let us speak of other matters.

No truly. Hiördis, tell me!

It will profit thee little; but since thou wilt have it so[With a malignant expression.] Canst thou remember once, over in Iceland—we had followed with Örnulf thy father to the Council, and we sat with our playmates in the Council Hall, as is the manner of women. Then came two strangers into the hall.

Sigurd and Gunnar.

They greeted us in courtly fashion, and sat on the bench beside us; and there passed between us much merry talk. There were some who must needs know why these two vikings came thither, and if they were not minded to take them wives there in the island. Then said Sigurd: "Twill