I think that she spoke unwarily to you, my king." "Nay," said Selred the priest; "I hold that she sounded you as to whether you had any thought of adding Mercia to your own realm.

If it is true that Offa has some secret ailment which is slowly and surely bringing his end near, she looks onward to the time when she shall stand alone.

She would find out if you are to be feared." "Maybe that is it," said Ethelbert, with a sigh of relief.

"It must be.

She is a mistress of craft; and had I one thought of adding to my realm, that would have made me show it.