aybe that oath has somewhat to do
with it. A good daughter will go far to carry out her father's will,
and, in the plain sense thereof, she will certainly do it thus. Then it
is likely that she knows that you are no churl, but the son of Grim,
though we have fallen on hard times for a while. I have heard say that
it is the custom here that a man who has crossed the seas in his own
ship so many times is a thane by right of that hardihood. Thane's son,
therefore, might we call you. Then there is the jealousy of every other
thane, if she chooses an East Anglian. Then she needs one who shall be
mighty to lead her forces. Even the greatest thane will be content to
follow a man who is a warrior of warriors. Ragnar can have told her what
you are in that way. Faith, brother, there are reasons enough."

Havelok laughed a short laugh at all this, and he grew brighter. There
was sense in Withelm's words, if they would not bear looking deeply into.

Then I said, adding to these words, "Moreover, Alsi could stop the whole
foolishness of his niece if he did not think it a fitting match in some
way."

"So he could," answered Havelok. "But yet--I tell you that there was
naught but evil in his face. Why did he try to force me?"

Then he went back to the thing that weighed mostly on his noble heart--
the thought that he was unworthy altogether.

"I fear that the princess does but think of me because she must. It is
in my mind that Alsi may have threatened her also until she has
consented. How shall I know this?"

"Most easily, as she speaks with you," answered Withelm. "Tomorrow will
tell you that. And then, if you find things thus, what shall prevent
your flying?"

"Brother Radbard and the other housecarls," said Havelok grimly.

"Not if you ask the princess to help you out of her own way by
pretending to be most willing. If Alsi thinks you a gladsome couple,
there is no difficulty. You walk out of the palace as a master there.
Then you fly to Ragnar. That is all."

Now that was such an easy way out of the whole coil that we planned it
out. And yet it seemed to me that it was a pity that Havelok knew not
more of what seemed to us so sure now. So, seeing that things were
fairly straightened by this last thought, I got up and said that I must
be going, making a sign to Withelm to come also; and, with a few more
words, we went out. I saw Havelok set himself to a mighty task of water
drawing as I looked back.

"Now," said I, "he