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When, after the games, the circular dances began, one could see that the maidens of the household only associated themselves with their own countrymen; and when the strangers could not find a village girl who would dance with them, they were obliged to look on. This displeased the Prince, and he called out to the Vandals: "Why do my guests despise my people?" Again Berthar answered: "The maidens of the country complain that our springs twist their ankles." Then the fearless Frida stepped forth, bowed low to the old man, and said: "I care little whether I displease others when I take the hand of a stranger. For I know one of the household who threatens the maidens if they dance with the guests. If it pleaseth thee, Hero Berthar, and thou dost not think me too insignificant, lead me to the dance." Berthar laughed, as did also the Prince; the old man took the hand of the maiden, sprang about like a youth, and swung her actively over the turf, so that all looked at him and made exclamations of approbation.

The strangers saw well that the Princess did not hold them in much consideration; she seldom spoke even to the noblest among them --- not even to the Hero Berthar, although he was of noble race. But the Princess had also some ground for complaint, for two of the Vandals --- the brothers Alebrand and Walbrand --- had exchanged sharp words with two of the Princess's maidens, and, lying in wait in the evening, had kissed them against their will, and had tumbled their dress. Therefore the Princess went to Ingo, and raised a loud complaint of the profligacy of his men, and Ingo, deeply vexed by the hard words of the Princess and the ill-conduct of his followers, held a court of justice over the guilty ones at his own house. And although it appeared on examination that it was more wantonness than vice, he punished them severely, both by words and social disgrace, putting them down in the lowest place on his bench: sorrowfully did the evil-doers sit after that in the circle of their companions. When Ingo once before this was returning to the hearth of the Prince from his own quarters, he heard in the new building near it the sharp grating of the millstone, and, much astonished, he asked Berthar: "Do the maidens turn the millstone in the sleeping-house of the men?"

Then answered the old man: "As thou thyself askest, thou shalt know. It is not the servant-maids that are turning it; thy boys are obliged to do the inglorious work of serving-women, if they would have any bread; for the maidens refuse any longer to grind the corn for us, and the hostess yields to them. Bitter is such work for heroes of a King. I would gladly have concealed from thee what is a dishonor to thy hospitable friend."

Ingo stepped behind a pillar, and covered his face with his hands. Outside howled the north-storm round the roof, throwing a gray covering of snow and frozen water over the house.

"An unpliant fellow rages above the rafters of the house," continued Berthar; "he now rules over the roads and fields, and may prevent the departure of my King from this place. Yet I suspect that thou thinkest thereof; therefore hear something that the Hero Isanbart, my old war-companion confided to me when I yesterday secretly sought him. The Roman trader, Tertullus, was in the district with his pack-horses; he came from the West, and was going to the Castle of the King. Thou knowest the man; he is considered by the Allemanns as the most cunning spy of Cæsar. Now he has avoided the abode in which we dwell, although the property on which we are staying would be the best market for a merchant. But throughout the district he has inquired concerning thee and us, and has held hostile language --- that Cæsar seeks for thee, and would pay a high price if he could look upon thy body or thy head under his banner, in order that the evil omen may be destroyed which, since thy seizure of the dragon, has hung heavy on the hearts of the Roman warriors. If the Roman trader goes to King Bisino, he conceals in his chest rather presents to the King than wares; for he was in no haste to untie his bundle, as is usually the manner of these people. Therefore the Hero Isanbart is full of anxiety, and sends thee warning, that thou mayest trust a message from the King less than before."

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