Now Swanhild ceased, and choked with grief; then spoke again: 

“So now farewell; doubtless I weary thee, and—­Gudruda waits.  Nay, look not on my foolish tears:  they are the heritage of woman, of naught else is she sure!  While I live, Eric, morn by morn the thought of thee shall come to wake me as the sun wakes yon snowy peak, and night by night thy memory shall pass as at eve he passes from the valleys, but to dawn again in dreams.  For, Eric, ’tis thee I wed to-day—­at heart I am thy bride, thine and thine only; and when shalt thou find a wife who holds thee so dear as that Swanhild whom once thou knewest?  So now farewell!  Yes, this time thou shalt kiss away my tears; then let them stream for ever.  Thus, Eric! and thus! and thus! do I take farewell of thee.”

And now she clung about his neck, gazing on him with great dewy eyes till things grew strange and dim, and he must kiss her if only for her love and tender beauty’s sake.  And so he kissed, and it chanced that as they clung thus, Gudruda, passing by this path to give her betrothed greeting, came upon them and stood astonished.  Then she turned and, putting her hands to her head, fled back swiftly to the stead, and waited there, great anger burning in her heart; for Gudruda had this fault, that she was very jealous.

Now Eric and Swanhild did not see her, and presently they parted, and Swanhild wiped her eyes and glided thence.

As she drew near the stead she found Gudruda watching.

“Where hast thou been, Swanhild?” she said.

“To bid farewell to Brighteyes, Gudruda.”

“Then thou art foolish, for doubtless he thrust thee from him.”

“Nay, Gudruda, he drew me to him.  Hearken, I say, thou sister.  Vex me not, for I go my ways and thou goest thine.  Thou art strong and fair, and hitherto thou hast overcome me.  But I am also fair, and, if I find space to strike in, I also have a show of strength.  Pray thou that I find not space, Gudruda.  Now is Eric thine.  Perchance one day he may be mine.  It lies in the lap of the Norns.”

“Fair words from Atli’s bride,” mocked Gudruda.

“Ay, Atli’s bride, but never Atli’s love!” said Swanhild, and swept on.

A while after Eric rode up.  He was shamefaced and vexed at heart, because he had yielded thus to Swanhild’s beauty, and been melted by her tender words and kissed her.  Then he saw Gudruda, and at the sight of her all thought of Swanhild passed from him, for he loved Gudruda and her alone.  He leapt down from his horse and ran to her.  But, drawn to her full height, she stood with dark flashing eyes and fair face set in anger.

Still, he would have greeted her loverwise; but she lifted her hand and waved him back, and fear took hold of him.

“What now, Gudruda?” he asked, faltering.

“What now, Eric?” she answered, faltering not.  “Hast seen Swanhild?”

“Yea, I have seen Swanhild.  She came to bid farewell to me.  What of it?”