shoulder, and
adding; "See, daughters, this is he who dared to warn the land of its
danger, saving the lives of our sisters of Bridgwater, and many others,
and who has even now led the host and conquered, giving us safety and
peaceful rest again."

But I knelt and kissed her hand, while there went a little murmur among
the nuns.

Then the lady abbess touched gently my bound shoulder, and said that the
hurt was but rudely tended and that she must bind it afresh; so should
she show her gratitude to one who had bled for the land. And they led me
into the courtyard; and thence to the guest chamber, and there waited
Alswythe.

Now when I looked to see her greet me formally, as in the presence of
the abbess, she ran into my arms, and I found that we were alone.

Then must she hear and I tell all that had happened to me since we
parted; but that was too long for the telling then, for very soon the
abbess came with clatter of vessels along the passage, bringing warm
water and salves to bind my small wound afresh.

And in that Alswythe helped her, with many pitying words and soft
touches, so that I thought it good to be hurt if such tendance might
ever be had. And many things they asked, as of Wulfhere's safety, and
the collier's, and of how I got that wound, and the like. And that last
I could not tell them, marvelling myself when it came, and more that it
was the only one; but I know I smote flatwise once or twice myself in
the heat of fight, so doubtless it was so with others, else would
Aldhelm have been in halves or thereabouts.

Then I told them of my message to the king, and at that Alswythe
rejoiced. And the abbess said that doubtless the king would reward the
messenger, and what reward would I ask an he did so?

Now there was only one reward to me in all the world, and for answer I
took Alswythe's hand, all wet with the water she bathed my hurt with,
and kissed it. On which the maiden blushed, and looked down, but the
abbess laughed softly, saying, "Verily, I thought so," and then seemed
to choke a little, turning away from us. And Alswythe did not draw away
her hand from mine, but let her cheek rest for a moment against my head,
and so there was a little silence.

Then the abbess turned round again, and her eyes were bright, but the
shine was of tears in them, and she spoke briskly.

"Now must you get hence, Heregar, my son, and go your way to the king
with all haste, so shall you be back the sooner. Give hi