sheep-skin coat huddled round him to hide the poverty beneath.

"I fear my habit pleases not your eye," he said at last, striving
to control his countenance.

"It is--" she began, and then her gravity for an instant forsook
her again. "It is highly befitting," she said, more soberly and a
little shyly.

"In truth, a garb to win a maiden's heart; but I recked not of my
clothing, I was in such haste to see the maid," said Helgi boldly.

She looked at him with some surprise, and just a sufficient touch
of dignity to check the dash of his advances. He saw the change,
and quickly added,--

"To be quite honest with you, I knew not indeed that you were
here, and feeling cold I came down to warm me. I should ask your
pardon."

"Not so," she said; "how could you know that I was here? I have
only just arrived."

"And I," replied Helgi, "leave early in the morning, though now I
would fain stay longer. So you will soon forget the man in the
sheepskin coat who so alarmed you."

"But not the coat," she said demurely, her blue eyes lighting up
again. Helgi's vanity was a little stung, but he answered gaily,--