Now that there was a hope of rescue, however distant, she thought it might be as well to give Sweyn some faint hope that in time she might yield to his wishes.

Then she said: "I have told you often, jarl, that I will never be your wife, and I do not think that I shall ever change my mind.

It may be that the sunny skies you speak of may work a wonderful change in me, but that remains to be seen." Sweyn retired well satisfied.

Her words were less defiant than any she had hitherto addressed to him.

As to the message of her father, who could know nothing of his intention to sail to the Mediterranean, he thought no further of it.
Three days later the galleys were launched, and after a day spent in putting everything in its place they started on their way down the river.