serve him as I may."

"Well, if that is so, you are in luck. But I do not think that either of
Grim's sons can be the man. Big enough are you, certainly, but goodly?
Nay, but that red head of yours spoils you."

I daresay that he would have said more about Raven and Withelm, for a
talk was going round; but a hush came suddenly, and then a strange
murmur of stifled wonder, for Havelok came into the hall after Berthun,
and all eyes were turned to him.

Now I saw my brother smile as he came, seeing someone whom he liked
first of all; and then he looked up the hall, and at once his face
became ashy pale, for he saw what was to be done. Yet he went on firmly,
looking neither to right nor left, until he came to the high place.
There he caught my eye, and I made a little sign to him to show that I
knew his trouble.

They came to the step, and Berthun stood aside to let Havelok pass, and
then Alsi held out his hand to raise my brother to the high place. But
Havelok seemed not to see that, stepping up by himself as the king bade
him come. Then the women who were in the hall spoke to one another in a
murmur that seemed of praise; but whiter and more white grew the
princess, so that I feared that she would faint. But she did not; and
presently there seemed to come into her eyes some brave resolve, and she
was herself again, looking from Alsi to Havelok, and again at Alsi.

Now, too, the king looked at him up and down, as one who measures his
man before a fight. And when he met Havelok's eyes he grew red, and
turned away to the folk below him.