.

But there was one who rose heavy and sorely troubled, and that was the
Lady Goldberga, for all the fancies that had been brought to her by the
vision had come to nothing, or worse than nothing, as she looked on
Havelok and saw in the cook's knave the very form of him of whom she had
dreamed, and whom she could not forget. Glad had she been to go to her
own chamber and away from the kindly ladies who could not know her real
trouble; but not even to her old nurse did she tell what that was. Her
one thought now was to seek someone who was skilful in the reading of
dreams, and so find some new hope from it all. But no one could tell her
of such a one here, unless it were to be a priest of Woden, and that she
would not hear of.

Then, early in the morning, Alsi sent for her, saying that he would
speak with her alone for a while. So she went to him, where he sat in
the chamber beyond the high place; and he greeted her kindly, asking
after her rest, and saying that he hoped that the sudden faintness had
hurt her not. Then he led her to a seat, and bade her rest while he
talked of state affairs.

"For it must be known to you, my niece, that the Witan thinks it time
that you should take your father's kingdom."

Now Goldberga knew that, and had long made up her mind that when the
time came she would not shrink from the burden of the crown.

It may well have been that Alsi thought that she would wish to wait for
a time yet, for he did not seem altogether pleased when she answered,
"If the Witan thinks right, I am ready."

"But," he said, "there is one thing to come before that. The Witan must
know who your husband shall be. And that is reasonable, for he will have
a share in ruling the kingdom."

Then said Goldberga, "They need have no fear in that matter, for I will
wed none but a king or the heir of a king."

"Well," said Alsi, dryly enough, "they are not so plentiful as are
blackberries, and there may be two words to that."

"I am not anxious to be wedded," answered the princess, "and I can wait.
It is, as you say, a matter that is much to the country."

Then Alsi tried another plan, seeing that Goldberga was not at all put
out by this. So he forced a cunning smile that was meant to be pleasant,
and said, "I had thought that your mind ran somewhat on Ragnar."

He looked to see the lady change colour, but she did not.

"Ragnar is my cousin," she said, "or a good brother to me, if you will.
Moreover, until the ot