Then I kissed her hand, and she blessed me, and went from the room.  And, taught by her example, I prayed that I might not fail in this trust, but find safety for her I loved.

Now came the sister who had charge of such things, and set before me a good meal with wine, saying no word, but signing the cross over all in token that I might eat, and glad enough was I to do so, though in haste.  Yet before I would begin I asked that sister to let Wulfhere know that all was going right, and to bid him be ready.  She said no word, as must have been their rule, but went out, and I knew afterwards that she sent one to tell him.

In a quarter hour or so, and when I, refreshed with the good food I so needed, was waxing restless and impatient, the prioress came back, and signed me to follow her, and taking my helm, I did so, till we came to the great door leading to the courtyard.  There stood Alswythe, very pale, and trying to stop her weeping very bravely, and she gave me her hand for a moment, without a word, and it was cold as ice, and shook a little; yet it had a lingering grasp on mine, as though it would fain rest with me for a little help.

There were but two of her maidens with her, and the prioress saw that I was surprised, and said:  “The rest bide with us, Heregar, and here they will surely be safe.  Alswythe will take no more than these, lest you are hindered on the journey.”

And I was glad of that, though I should have loved to see her better attended, as befitted her; yet need was pressing, and this was best.  Then the prioress kissed Alswythe and the maidens, and Wulfhere set them on their horses, for though I would fain help Alswythe myself, the lady had more to say to me, and kept me.

She told me to take my charge to the abbess of her own order at Glastonbury, where they would be tended in all honour as here with herself, and she gave me a letter also to the abbess to tell her what was needed and why they came, and then she gave me a bag with gold in it, knowing that I might have to buy help on the way.  For all this I thanked her; but she said that rather it was I who should be thanked, and from henceforward, if her word should in any way have weight, it should go with that of Osric the Sheriff for my welfare.

And this seemed to me to be much said before my task was done, but afterwards I knew that she had talked with Wulfhere, who had told her all—­even to the treachery of Matelgar.  That would I have prevented, had I known, but so it was to be, and I had no knowledge of it till long after.  Wulfhere had been called in to give her news while I was with Osric, yet he had not dared to tell her of the thane’s death.

All being ready, I mounted that white steed that had been the dead thane’s, knowing that in war and haste these things must be taken as they come, and that he was better in Saxon hands than Danish.  Then I gave the word, and we started, Dudda the Collier going by my side, and staring at the prioress and all things round him.