I cannot tell you of the great kindness that is waiting for you in the thane's home." And for answer she turned away and began to weep, and Relf could bear that not at all, and he went to her and put his arm round her, as he would have done to Sexberga, and tried to reassure her.
"Why," he said, "here is nought to weep about, maiden.

Maybe we are homely people, but I think that you may learn to be happier in freedom with us than here.

Nay, but weep not so bitterly, you shall be as our daughter to us if you will, for Redwald's life's sake.
Aye, you shall have Sexberga's own chamber and all that--" But still Uldra wept, and I was unhappy to see her do so.

This could not be all for sudden relief from doubt as I had thought at first.
Then she took herself gently from the thane's arm, and dried her eyes, and clasped her hands tightly before her, and said: "I cannot say how I thank you; but I must bide here." "This is a cold place," said the thane.

"It is no home for you." "I think it will be so in the end," she said very sadly.
And I tried hard to think of somewhat to say that might persuade her, but there was that meaning in her voice that seemed to stay whatever came to me.