Now while we debated this, the old sister who was portress, opened the wicket and asked us through it why these horses stood in the yard, and what we armed men did there.  And that decided me.  I would ask for speech with the prioress, and tell her the trouble.

That pleased Wulfhere:  and I did so.  Then the portress asked who I might be, and lest my name should but prove a bar to speech with the lady, I showed her Osric’s ring, which she knew as one he was wont to give to men as surety that they came from him on his errand.  And that was enough, for in a few minutes she came back, taking me to the guest chamber.

There I unhelmed and waited, while those minutes seemed very long, though they were but few before the lady came in.

She started a little when she saw who I was, for she had known me well, and knew now in what case I had been.  But Alswythe had told her also of what I had been able to do for her last night, if she had heard no more, for news gets inside even closed walls, in one way or another, from the lay people who serve the place.

I bent my knee to her, and she looked at me very sadly, saying:  “I knew and loved your mother, Heregar, my son, and sorely have I grieved for you—­not believing all the things brought against you.  How come you here now?”

Then I held out my hand and showed her Osric’s ring, only saying that as the good sheriff trusted me I would ask her to do so.  And at that she looked glad, and said that she would hold Osric’s trust as against any word she had heard of me in dispraise.

So I bowed, and then, thinking it foolish to waste time, begged her to forgive bluntness, and told her of the death of Matelgar and of the sore danger of the town, and of how Osric had hidden me take Alswythe to Glastonbury to the bishop, and how he would himself care for her own safety.

She was a brave lady, and worthy of the race of Offa from which she sprung.  And she heard me to the end, only growing very pale, while her hand that rested on the table grew yet whiter as she clenched it.

“Can we not recover the body of the thane?” she asked, speaking very low.

I could but shake my head, for I knew that where he lay was now in the hands of the Danes.  True, if Osric could beat them off again he might gain truce for such recovery on both sides; but that seemed hopeless to me.  Then I was bold to add: 

“Now, lady, this matter is pressing, and in your hands I must leave it.  Trust the Lady Alswythe to me and her faithful servant, Wulfhere, and I will be answerable for her with my life.  But of her father’s death I dare not tell her.”

Then she bowed her head a little, and, I think, was praying.  For when she looked at me again her face was very calm though so pale.

“Alswythe has told me of you, Heregar, my son,” she said, “and to you will I trust her.  Moreover I will bid her go at once, and I will tell her that heavy news you bring.  You will not have long to wait, for in truth we are ready, fearing such as this.”