be hard for me to find the woman that shall be to my mind." Örnulf laughed, and said there was no lack of high-born and well-dowered women in Iceland; but Sigurd answered: "The warrior needs a high-souled wife. She whom I choose must not rest content with a humble lot; no honour must seem too high for her to strive for; gladly must she follow me a-viking; war-weed must she wear; she must egg me on to strife, and never blink her eyes where sword-blades lighten; for if she be faint-hearted, scant honour will befall me." Is it not true, so Sigurd spake?
Dagny.
[Hesitatingly.] True, he did—but
Hiördis.
<g>Such</g> was she to be, the woman who could make life fair to him; and then—[With a scornful smile] then he chose <g>thee</g>!
Dagny.
[Starting, as in pain.] Ha, thou wouldst say that?
Hiördis.
Doubtless thou hast proved thyself proud and high-souled; hast claimed honour of all, that Sigurd might be honoured in thee—is it not so?
Dagny.
Nay, Hiördis, but
Hiördis.
Thou hast egged him on to great deeds, followed him in war-weed, and joyed to be where the strife raged hottest—hast thou not?
