70 EAELY KINGS OF NORWAY.

gold ring from the neck of Hm, or from the door of his temple), — a huge gold ring, at any rate, had come into Olaf 's hands ; and this he bethought him might be a pretty present to Queen Sigrid, the now favour- able, though the proud. Sigrid received the ring with joy ; fancied what a collar it would make for her own fair neck ; but noticed that her two goldsmiths, weigh- ing it on their fingers, exchanged a glance. " What is that ? exclaimed Queen Sigrid. " ISTothing," an- swered they, or endeavoured to answer, dreading mis- chief. But Sigrid compelled them to break open the ring ; and there was found, all along the inside of it, an occult ring of copper, not a heart of gold at all ! " Ha," said the proud Queen, flinging it away, " he that could deceive in this matter can deceive in many others ! " And was in hot wrath with Olaf; though, by degrees, again she took milder thoughts. Milder thoughts, we say ; and consented to a meet- ing next autumn, at some half-way station, where their great business might be brought to a happy settlement and betrothment. Both Olaf Tryggveson and the high dowager appear to have been tolerably of willing mind at this meeting ; but Olaf interposed,