Thus adjured, the maiden left her with some uneasiness, for Gyda seemed much weaker. Long she remained waiting, and hearing no sound became uneasy, and softly entered the room. Gyda sat before a large box on the floor fingering lovingly the coins and gems which it contained. So intent was she that she did not hear the girl enter. Egwina started to leave the room as quietly as she had entered it, but in so doing she made a noise which caused the woman to look up. With an exclamation of rage she sprang to her feet with unwonted vigor, her eyes flaming with anger. “How durst thou spy upon me?” she cried in fury. “How durst thou, girl? Thinkest thou to get the gold now? But thou shalt not.” “Nay, nay, Gyda,” began Egwina, soothingly, advancing toward her. “I did but come to see why thou wert so still.” “Tell me not that thou didst not spy upon me. Thou didst!” and the enraged woman struck her violently with her staff. The blow was so sudden and severe that Egwina fell heavily to the floor. Instantly the woman’s anger fled when she saw what she had done, and she tottered to the girl, her strength leaving her. “Forgive me, my pretty one! I meant it not. Gyda meant not to harm thee.” But the maiden had fainted. As soon as she saw this the woman dragged herself back to her treasure, and restored it to its hiding place. Then again she approached the girl and hung over her prostrate form, moaning, and strove feebly to revive her. Presently Egwina recovered consciousness. Gyda caressed her tenderly. “My child! My child! I have been cruel to thee. Canst forgive me? Not much longer shalt thou need to bear with Gyda, for Hela even now breatheth cold upon my brow.” “I forgive thee, Gyda,” said Egwina weakly. “Thou didst not mean to hurt me. Thou wotted not what thou wert doing.” “No, no; I wotted not. Say, I forgive thee, mother. Give me thy hand and say it.” Egwina stretched forth her hand and took the woman’s gently. “I forgive thee, mother,” she said softly. With an effort the maiden raised herself, bent over the woman and kissed her. “Now lie beside me. Art weak, Egwina?” “Yes, mother.” “Mayhap Hela will bear thee to Niflheim also,” and a triumphant expression flitted across Gyda’s face. “It would glad my heart to have thee with me there. Shouldst like to die, Egwina?” “I mind it not, Gyda. Heaven is bright and beautiful, and granther would be there. Dear granther! We were so happy together! Would I were with him!” “Wouldst rather be with him in thy heaven than with me in Niflheim?” asked the woman, jealously. “Mind it not, Gyda. He is mine own granther, and he loves me.” “So do I love thee. It groweth dark, Egwina. Lie closer.” Egwina crept close to Gyda, and the woman drew her within her arms. “Shall I not help thee to thy couch, Gyda?” “Thou canst not, child. What doth it matter where we meet Hela?”