I heard Sister Sexberga’s voice speaking low and pleadingly for a moment—­and then all was lost.

“I am the Queen of England,” said Emma in her proud, shrill voice.  “Begone, churls, and let me not.”

And bright in crimson and ermine she came from the cabin and stood swaying on the deck before Egil and his men, while round her train played heedlessly the ill-omened black kitten; and that seemed strange.

Egil bared his head and bowed before her.

“Are you truly the queen?” he said.

“Aye, knave.  Who else should I be?” she answered.  “Fetch me the old priest.”

“Nay, Redwald will tell me now,” Egil said.  “Does this lady speak truth?”

“It is true,” I answered.  “Why should you hinder her going to the duke, her brother, who will seek her at your hands?”

Now Emma had been still during these words, looking with hard and scornful eyes at all before her, but now she spoke: 

“Let the sail be set again that I may go on my way.  You shall surely answer for this hindrance.”

But no one stirred, though even the Danes were silent, for there is that in the tones of one who is wont to be obeyed which makes men listen whether they will or not.

“Do you hear me?” she said, stamping her foot.

“Redwald, see that I am obeyed.  Drive these knaves into the sea, and let me be rid of them.”

Then Egil answered her, saving me trouble thereby, for I had nought to say: 

“Queen, we will do your bidding and hoist the sail.  But my men and I must bide here.”

“I care not, so that you do not hinder my folk,” she said.

And with that she turned away, saying to the brave sister who yet stood beside her: 

“Let us seek shelter again—­the wind is cold, and I am offended with the sight of these men.”

They went into the cabin and closed the door after them, and Egil and I looked at one another.  Egil grinned, but I could not.  Outside the door the kitten mewed restlessly in the cold wind to be taken in.

“So,” he said, “cheer up.  This is not your fault; you almost won through.  Had the queen come forth as an abbess, I think that I had left you for very shame.  Priests and black cats are aye unlucky passengers, however.”

I think that I was never so angry as then.  To lose all our pains for the safety of the queen, and that by reason of her own foolishness, was hard.

Egil left me and went to Bertric; and once more the sail was set, and the ship headed backward for the English coast.  We had almost lost sight of it.  The two longships ranged up on either side of us, shortening sail to keep us company.

They took the two men whom I had slain and set them forward under some covering.  Neither Egil nor his warriors bore me any grudge for their fall, which was in fair fight of their own making.  After that Egil’s men made the crew bring them what food and ale they had, and sat down below the fore deck quietly enough.  They were courtmen of Jarl Thorkel’s, as I thought, being better than the wild warriors who made the bulk of Cnut’s great host.