HOW A MARRIAGE WAS A II HANGED. 15 



When they had stayed there overnight Gliim's brother, 

 Thorarin, said : ' I have come here, Hoskuld, with my brother 

 Gliim to ask thy daughter Hallgerd in marriage for him. 

 Thou must know that he is high-born.' ' I know,' said Hoskuld, 

 * that your brothers are of good kin, but I will also tell thee 

 that I married her once and it became a great misfortune.' 

 Thorarin answered : ' We will not let that prevent the bargain, 

 for a single oath is no evidence for all cases.' ' 



As Hallgerd had been unfortunately married, Hrut said : 



" This time Hallgerd must not, as before, be kept in ignorance 

 of the betrothal ; she shall know all this bargain and see Glum, 

 and have her way about marrying him or not ; then she cannot 

 accuse others if it does not do well ; all this shall be without 

 deceit.' Thorarin said : ' Now, as always, it will be best to take 

 thy advice.' ' 



Hallgerd was sent for ; and after coming in with two women 



" She sat down between Hriit and her father. She greeted 

 them all with fine words, and spoke well, and asked for 

 news. Then she grew silent. Gliim said : ' I and my brother 

 Thorarin have spoken about a bargain to thy father, namely, 

 that I should marry thee, Hallgerd, if it is thy will, as it is 

 theirs. Thou wilt also tell now, as thou art called a highly 

 accomplished woman, whether it is somewhat to thy mind ; but 

 if the bargain with us is not to thy wish, we will not speak of 

 it.' Hallgerd said : ' I know that your brothers are men of 

 good kin, and that I will now be married much better than 

 before ; but I want to know what you have said, and how far the 

 matter has advanced ; but as thou lookest to me, I think I will 

 love thee well if our tempers agree.' Gliim himself told her 

 all the conditions, and left nothing out, and asked. Hoskuld 

 and Hriit whether they were rightly told. Hoskuld said they 

 were. Hallgerd said : ' You, my father, and Hriit have behaved 

 so well to me in this matter that I will do this at your advice, 

 and this bargain shall be as you have made it.' Hriit said : 

 ' I think it advisable that I and Hoskuld should name witnesses, 

 and that Hallgerd should betroth herself if the lawman thinks 

 it right.' Thorarin answered : ' It is right.' Then the pro- 

 perty of Hallgerd was valued, and Gliim was to give as much, 

 and there was to be joint-partnership between them. Then 

 Gliim betrothed Hallgerd to himself, and they rode home. 

 Hoskuld was to hold the wedding feast " (Njala, c. 13). 



When girls were of age they could transact their own 

 business. 



