e would not meddle with such matters. So I was left to the
queen by the hearth.

"Jesting apart, Oswald," she said, "I had hoped that vow of yours
would have led to somewhat, and whose fault it was that nought came
of it I do not know. However, no harm seems to have been done, and
that may pass, though indeed Elfrida was a favourite of mine. But
see to it that next time you are no laggard. Now, when are you
going to Dyfed?"

Then I suppose my face told some tale against me, for the queen
laughed softly.

"Soon, Oswald?"

I could not pretend to misunderstand her then, but when it was put
to me so plainly it did not seem to me all so certain that my suit
would fare better than my vow. I had no fear once that the last
would not have been welcome, and was mistaken enough. Now, perhaps
because I was in real earnest, I did doubt altogether.

"What, do you fear that there is no favour for you, my Thane?"
Ethelburga said, with a smile lingering round the corners of her
mouth.

"I do not see how there can be," I answered. "I am not worthy. It
is one thing for the princess to be friendly with me, and another
for her to suffer me to look so high."

I spoke plainly to the queen, as I was ever wont since I was a
child in her train and she the kindly lady to whose hand I looked
for all things, and from whom all my earlier happinesses had come.
She was ever the same, and I know well that her name will be
remembered as one of our best hereafter. It was almost therefore as
mother to son that she spoke to me, rather than as mistress to
servant.

"But you had no doubts at all concerning Elfrida."

"That was foolishness, my Queen, and I see it now. This is
different altogether."

"I know it, and it was my fault in a way. Still, you were then but
the landless house-carle captain, and yet you dared to look up to
the daughter of the ealdorman. Now you are the Thane of Taunton,
and to be the first ealdorman of Saxon Devon, with house and riches
at your back, moreover. And she of whom you think is but the
daughter of a Welsh princelet."

"Nay, my Queen, but she is Nona."

"Go your ways, Oswald," the queen said, laughing--"of a surety you
are in earnest this time. Nay, but I will jest no more, and will
wish you all speed to Pembroke. If there is no welcome, and more,
for you there, I am mistaken, for you deserve all you wish."

So we spoke no more, but joined the king. Presently, when I came to
think of what the queen had sai