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."

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 se