“Ay; then do you ask these friends, and tell them that the sooner they can bring a priest the better shall they be rewarded.  I would give much to have Goldberga’s mind set at rest.”

So Mord said that he would go at once; and glad he was to see Withelm sitting with Berthun,

“Well,” said the steward, “I have known Withelm of Grimsby for the last ten years or so, and I do not suppose that it matters if you speak with him.”

“Why should it matter if I speak with any one I choose?” asked Mord, somewhat angrily.

“That you must ask the king; for his orders are that the people of the princess have no dealings with outsiders for two days.”

“Mighty careful of us is Alsi all of a sudden,” said Mord.  “I suppose he thinks that someone will stick a seax into some of us in all friendly wise while we are talking.”

But Berthun only laughed, and went to where the nurse was beckoning to him.  He told her his own thoughts of Havelok, being glad to have a ready hearer.

At once Withelm was able to tell Mord that the old priest who was his friend was in Lincoln at this time by good chance, and that he would surely come to the princess at need.  But when they came to talk of when and how, it did not seem all so easy; and Mord went to the nurse to tell her all.

Then they had to speak to Berthun about it, and he was kindly and willing to help; but he said that none might come to speak with the princess without leave from the king.  No doubt he would grant it easily, if asked by Goldberga herself.

“I will go and tell her,” said the old lady.  “Keep your man here till I return.”

Now she brought this good news to the princess, and one need not say how she rejoiced.  And now a thought had come to her, and she was eager to send a message to Alsi.

“Surely,” she thought, “he does but threaten me with the kitchen knave, that he may make me change my will.  And, therefore, if I say that I am ready to obey him, he will be pleased; and then time is gained at the least, and it is not possible that he will choose so badly for me after all.”

So when the nurse asked her what she would do about getting the priest to her presence, she said, “Go and tell my uncle first that I am willing to obey him in the matter of which we spoke this morning.”

“So that was what has troubled you after all, and not the dream?  I thought it should not have made all these tear marks,” said the nurse quickly.  “Now, why did you not tell me?  I dare give Alsi a talking to if he needs it.”

“Nay, nurse, but it was the dream.  My uncle and I did but disagree on somewhat, and maybe I was wrong.  By-and-by I will tell you.”

“Tell me now, and then I shall know better how to ask for what you need.”

But Goldberga could not bring herself to say what Alsi had threatened, and now felt sure that she would hear no more of that.  So she told the nurse that she had vowed only to marry a king, and that Alsi had been angry, saying that kings were not so easily found.  Also, that he was the man who had to find her a husband.