There is Hilda as silent as a mouse today, and I suppose she has been seeing more portents.

I mind that a black cat did look at us out of a doorway this morning." So he growled, scoffing, and I must say that I was more than half minded to agree with him.

Only the earthquake did seem more than an everyday token.
"I suppose that the earthquake which we felt was sent for somewhat ?" I said.
"Why, of course; such like always are.

But seeing that it was felt everywhere we have ridden, even so far as Northampton, and likely enough further on yet, I don't see why we should take it as meant for the king." Then he began to laugh to himself.
"When one comes to think thereof," he chuckled, "there must have been scores of men who felt it just as they were starting somewhere; and I warrant every one of them took it to himself, and put off his business! Well, well, I can tell what it did portend, however, for Ethelbert, and that is a mighty change in his household so soon as he gets his new wife home.

Earthquake, forsooth! Mayhap he will wish he had hearkened to its message when she turns his house upside down." "Nay," I said, smiling; "one has not heard that of the princess." "She is Quendritha's daughter," he said grimly, and growing grave of a sudden.