ich Griffin had held back had been too plain for her not to notice.
Already she feared him, and it seemed that he might have plotted her
carrying off thus. That Alsi might have had a hand in the matter did not
come into her mind, as it did into the minds of others, for she knew
little of him, thinking him honest if not very pleasant in his ways,
else had not her father made him her guardian.

I will say now that in the attack he did have a hand. Many a long year
afterward it all came out in some way. He dared not give his niece to
Griffin openly, but he wished to do so, as then he would have an
under-king in East Anglia of his own choosing. Sorely against the grain
with him was it that he should have to give up those fair lands to this
girl, who would hold the throne by her own right, and not at all under
him. So he and Griffin had plotted thus, and only Ragnar's presence had
spoilt the plan, though Griffin had tried to save it by holding back.
But I must say also that up to this time none had had aught to say
against Alsi as a ruler, though he was over close, and not at all hearty
in his ways at home. But now, for the sake of the kingdom, he had begun
to plot; and this plan having come to naught, he must make others, as
will be seen. I do not think that this planning to keep Ethelwald's
kingdom from his daughter was anything fresh to Alsi, but the time for
action had come now.

He had made ready by keeping the fair princess far away, and there were
none who could speak of her goodness, or, indeed, had heard much of her
since she was a child. Therefore, as men were content enough with him,
none would trouble much if the princess came not to the throne, given
good reason why she should not do so. And the very best reason would be
that which Alsi had given at the Witan--if her husband was not fit to
be king.

It is possible that Goldberga knew that her marriage would be talked of
at this Witan: but I do not think that she troubled herself much about
it, not by any means intending to be married against her will. I have
heard that so ran the will of Ethelwald, that she was to have choice to
some extent. However that may be, with so many thoughts to trouble her
she went to rest, and her sleep was not easy until the morning was near,
and then came quiet.

But presently, in the grey of the dawn, she woke, and called her old
nurse, who was in the chamber with her; and when she came she told her
that she had had a strange vi