“You nigh gave your life for me, my thane,” he said.  “That man’s knife was perilously near you.”

He touched my tunic with his hand, and I looked.  Across it where my heart beat was a long slit that I had not found out yet, where the knife flew at me.  That stroke must have been the man’s bane, because to reach me thus he had thrown his arm across his chest, and so had fallen on his weapon.

Then I was going, I think, though indeed I hardly know what I did at that moment, but the king stayed me, laughing.

“Do not think that I am going to let you off the cup, though.  Now you shall pledge me, and if you have any vow to make which is fitting for a thane, make it and let us all hear it.  But you have also the lady to think of in your words.”

Then there was a little rustle at the door which was on the high place, and the queen returned with some of her ladies, hearing that all was seemly again, and she stood smiling at these last words.  But Elfrida was not with her, and I was glad, else I had been more mazed yet.  So I plucked up heart and took the cup from the hand of the king, trying to collect my thoughts into some sort of fitting words.

“Drinc hael Cyning,” I said, while my voice shook.  “Here do I vow before all the Saints and before this company—­that I will do my best to prove myself worthy of this honour that has been set on me!”

“Why, Oswald,” said the queen, “that is no sort of vow such as you should make, for we know that already, and you have proved it now if never before.  And you have forgotten Elfrida.”

Now, I thought to myself that the last thing that I was ever likely to do was to forget that maiden, and with that a thought came into my head, and as the queen was smiling at me, and every one was waiting, I grew desperate, and must needs out with it.

“Now, I cannot do better than this,” I said, finding my courage all of a sudden.  “Here do I add to my vow that so long as my life shall last I will not again forget the Lady Elfrida.  Nor will I be content until I am held worthy by her to—­to guard her all the rest of my days.”

With that I drained the cup, and while the thanes laughed and cheered all round me, and Ina smiled as if well pleased enough, the queen set her hand on my arm, smiling also, and said: 

“That was well said, my thane, but for one turn of the words.  Why did you not tell us plainly that you mean to win her?  We all know what you mean.”

Then I went to my place, and I glanced at Herewald, to see how he would take all this.  Somewhat seemed to have amused him mightily, and his eyes brimmed with a jest as he looked at me.  Presently, when men forgot me in listening to the vow Ina made, that he would add somewhat to the new Church in thankfulness for this escape, the ealdorman came near me and whispered: 

“You are a cautious youth, Oswald, for I never heard a man turn a hint from a lady better in my life.  Nevertheless, if you are not careful, Ethelburga will wed you to Elfrida for all your craft.”