"Then I only dreamt," said Estein, passing his hand across his
eyes. "I thought I heard the voice of a girl; but when I woke more
fully, it was gone, indeed. It sounded like--but it was my dream;"
and lying down again, he closed his eyes.

"Should I tell him?" thought Helgi; "nay, I promised Atli, and
after all this is mine own adventure."

By the time the day had fairly broken, they were away under
Jomar's guidance.

"Remember, Estein, my rede," said Atli, as they departed.

"When the snows melt," cried Estein in reply; "and I think I shall
not have long to wait."

It was a raw, grey, blustering morning, with no smell of frost in
the air, but rather every sign of thaw, and the old man, after
watching the two tall mail-clad figures stride off with their
dwarfish guide hastening in front, closed the door, and turned
with a grave and weary look back to the fire.

Hardly had he come in when the inner door opened, and the girl
entered hastily.

"Who was that other man?" she asked. "I saw but his back, and yet-
-" she stopped with a little confusion, for Atli was regarding her
with a look of keen surprise.

"Knowest thou him?" he asked. "Where hast thou seen him before?"