And as I looked back once before the gates closed after me, I thought that the fires were nearer.

The Danes were not staying their hands for darkness, for so the terror they spread would be the greater.

So also was the bishop's peril therefore.
"Where is Bishop Humbert ?" I asked.
"Master, he is in the church, nor will he leave it," said the old steward.

"He says he must pray for king and land day and night now till this terror is overpast." "I will go to him--he must fly," I said.
"Aye, pray him to do so, Wulfric; he will listen to you," said the old man earnestly.
"Have all things ready," I said.

"See--there is little time." "What of the king, master ?" asked he, looking at the fires with a white face as he once more opened the gate.
"The king has gone where he would wish to be," I answered very gravely; and he understood me, turning away that I might not see his weeping.
Then Leof and I splashed back through the stream that ran between house and church, and came quickly to the porch.