Godwine and Redwald are going back to Bosham, and the earl bides at Chichester Cross--mind you that!" And he swung himself on his horse laughing, and we rode away, while the people shouted, for they had gathered in twos and threes to look on him.
Now when we came back to the great house, there was Relf sitting on the bench where we had sat yesterday, and he looked as if he had had good news.
"Now, thane," said Godwine, "here is a new messenger to your sorrowful damsel." Relf stared at me and laughed, and when I got off my horse Godwine would have us go at once.

So Relf took my arm and we went, while the young earl joked us till we were out of hearing.
"Now," said the thane, "we will not spoil the earl's jest, but must even let him think that all has been his doing thus." "Why, he will see us start for Penhurst, and if Uldra is not there--" "Aye, but she will be.

She is coming gladly," Relf said.
"How is this ?" I asked.
"Just that I have been to see the maiden while you were gone, and I spoke to her as to a daughter, and so she is coming." "You would not wait for me, then ?" I said, being glad that he had managed without me, as things had turned out.
"Methought I could do better alone.

The girl would say more to me than if you were there, perhaps.

Moreover, I had a notion why she would not come, and I wanted to ask her if I was right.