SIGURD (to GUNNAR). Didst thou send thy sons to the south?
HIORDIS. Ay, that he might be in safety should Ornulf fall upon us.
ORNULF. Scoff not at that, Hiordis; what Gunnar has done may prove
wise in the end, if so be thou hinderest the pact.
HIORDIS. Life must take its chance; come what will, I had liever
die than save my life by a shameful pact.
DAGNY. Sigurd makes atonement, and will not be deemed the lesser
man for that.
HIORDIS. Sigurd best knows what his own honour can bear.
SIGURD. On that score shall I never need reminding.
HIORDIS. Sigurd has done famous deeds, but the boldest deed of all
was Gunnar's, when he slew the white bear that guarded my bower.
GUNNAR (with an embarrassed glance at SIGURD). Nay nay, no more
of that!
ORNULF. In truth it was the boldest deed that e'er was seen in
Iceland; and therefore----
SIGURD. The more easily can Gunnar yield, and not be deemed
a coward.
HIORDIS. If amends are to be made, amends shall also be craved.
Bethink thee, Gunnar, of thy vow!
GUNNAR. That vow was ill bethought; wilt thou hold me to it?
HIORDIS. That will I, if we two are to dwell under one roof after
this day. Know then, Ornulf, that if atonement is to be made for the
carrying away of thy foster-daughter, thou, too, must atone for the
slaying of Jokul my father, and the seizure of his goods and gear.
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