. I could see him well, but I did not know how he had
seen the fair princess tremble and grow white as she gazed on him. I
know that, as he saw her for this first time, it was with the wish that
he were in Ragnar's place. But I thought that if Havelok were king, here
was the queen for him.

Now Alsi bade the feast go on, and be spoke a few words only to Havelok,
letting him go at once, and I was glad. This sudden faintness of the
princess had put all out somewhat, and none cared to take up a jest
where it had stayed. Nevertheless, I saw the king's eyes follow my
brother down the hall, and in them was a new and strange look that was
not pleasant at all.

Then it seemed that one was staring at me, and as will happen, I must
look in a certain place; and there was Cadwal, the Welsh thane, halfway
down one of the long tables, glaring first at me, and then at Havelok,
as he went. It came into my mind that he would be wroth with Ragnar for
bringing a kitchen knave as his second, as it were, in derision of
Griffin. I thought that I would find a chance presently to tell him why
my fellow second chose to be serving thus, and so make things right with
him, for this seemed to be due to Ragnar, if not to all concerned.

Not long after Goldberga had gone, the king withdrew also, and then the
hall grew noisy enough, and I could leave my place. But by that time
Cadwal had left also; and next day, when I sought him, both he and
Griffin were no longer in Lincoln, none knowing whither they had gone.
So I troubled no more about them.

But had I known that these two had been among the Welshmen that Hodulf
led to Denmark when he slew Gunnar Kirkeban, and therefore knew all the
story of the loss of Havelok, and how Hodulf had sought for news of him,
I should have been in fear enough that we had not yet done with them.
Rightly, too, should I have feared that, as will be seen.

Now while I looked about the hall for Cadwal, Mord the chamberlain saw
me, and made me sit down by him while I ate. Hungry enough was I by that
time, as may be supposed, for one cannot make a meal off the sight of a
feast; and as I ate, the noise of the hall grew apace as the cups went
round. Then some of the older thanes left, and soon Mord and I had that
table to ourselves. It was plain that he was full of something that he
would say to me, and when I was ready to listen he bent near me and
said, "So that was the boy who fled with us."

"Ay. He has grown since yo