grey and white shore pebbles with blades of grass and
weeds that sprang up between them everywhere for want of tendance.

Only the Lady Alswythe and a few of her servants were there now,
for the Lady Etheldreda had taken Thora with her to Taunton when
she left the hills. It had not been so safe here, though there was
little plunder to bring the Danes to the place now. So I need not
say that I was grievously disappointed, though in the dismantled
hall sat Osmund, listlessly shaping a bow stave, and waiting for
what turn of fortune should take him next.

Very glad, as one might think, were both the lady and the jarl for
our coming, and we had to tell them all the tale of the working of
Alfred's plan, and of the great fight. And when that was heard, we
told the jarl of Alfred's wish to treat with Guthrum and the other
chiefs through him.

That Osmund would gladly do; indeed, he said that, in hopes of
being thus useful, he had stayed so near at hand.

So he and the thane talked long of the matter--for Alfred had sent
messages--while I spoke with the lady, of Thora mostly.

It did not seem to me that I had any part in the king's business
with the Danes, and so presently I thought that I could do no
better than ride to Taunton to see Thora, who I feared might be in
trouble or doubt as to my safety.

So I rode there with Kolgrim. At that time the scald was laid up
with a wound in the camp, and the king seemed to miss his presence,
and to care for his welfare as if he were his brother; but, indeed,
he made every man with whom he had to do feel as if his king were
his best friend.

There is not much need for me to tell what manner of welcome I had
at Taunton from Thora. As for Etheldreda, she would have me tell
her everything, and I sat with those two, until night came and
rest, talking of all the time past. But of the time to come Thora
said nothing, and once or twice when Etheldreda left us and we were
alone for a little while, so that I could try to plan out somewhat,
she would but turn the talk again.

In the morning I found out how this was. She had gathered from
Osmund somewhat of his thoughts about what Alfred's plan for me
might be, and was unhappy therefore, not wishing to stand in my way
to honour with the king. So she told me when I pressed her a little
to speak of what I would do; and when I said that there should be
nothing that I would let stand between us, she was the more
troubled yet.

So at last I