Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 7, 2025
"You may come safely with me, my poor lambs," said the Bishop. "I am glad to find something to do fit for a churchman. To me, my housecarles." But they were all off plundering. "We will stand by you and the ladies, and see you safe down to the ships," said Winter, and so they went off. Hereward would gladly have gone with them, as Alftruda piteously entreated him.
Save me. I am " "Alftruda!" said Hereward. It was Alftruda; if possible more beautiful than ever. "I have got you!" she cried. "I am safe now. Take me away, out of this horrible place! Take me into the woods, anywhere. Only do not let me be burnt here, stifled like a rat. Give me air! Give me water!"
And she laughed one of her laughs, and said, "I have her at last!" Then, as it befell, he was forced to shew the letter to Queen Matilda; and she wept over it human tears, such as she, the noble heart, had been forced to keep many a time before, and said, "The poor soul! You, Alftruda, woman! does Hereward know of this?"
And taking up Alftruda in his arms, he carried her in and disappeared. Who now but Hereward was in all men's mouths? Gilbert's lady would need give him the seat, and all the honors, of a belted knight, though knight he was none.
And let him tell Hereward, by the faith and oath of William of Normandy, that if he will surrender himself to my grace, he shall have his lands in Bourne, and a free pardon for himself and all his comrades." The men assented, much against their will, and went out on their errand. "You have played me a scurvy trick, sir," said Ascelin, "in advising the king to give the Lady Alftruda to Hereward."
It was the third day. The Normans were drinking in the hall of Bourne, casting lots among themselves who should espouse the fair Alftruda, who sat weeping within over the headless corpse; when in the afternoon a servant came in, and told them how a barge full of monks had come to the shore, and that they seemed to be monks from Crowland.
"Why not burn the witch, and reward him with Alftruda instead, since your Majesty is in so gracious a humor?" said Ivo. "Alftruda! Who is she? Ay, I recollect her. Young Dolfin's wife. Why, she has a husband already." "Ay, but his Holiness at Rome can set that right. What is there that he cannot do?" "There are limits, I fear, even to his power. Eh, priest?"
However, he said to himself that it was no concern of his, as it certainly was not: went home to Torfrida, told her everything that had happened, laughed over it with her, and then forgot Alftruda, Dolfin, and Gilbert, in the prospect of a great campaign in Holland. After that, news came thick and fast.
Of course, for him to fall in love with Alftruda would have been a shameful sin, he would not have committed it for all the treasures of Constantinople; but it was a not unpleasant thought that Alftruda should fall in love with him. But he only said, tenderly and courteously, "Alas, poor lady!" "Poor lady. Too true, that last. For whither am I going now? Back to that man once more." "To Dolfin?"
Alftruda was beautiful, too, exceedingly, and precocious, and, it may be, vain enough to repay his attentions in good earnest. Moreover she was English as he was, and royal likewise; a relation of Elfgiva, daughter of Ethelred, once King of England, who, as all know, married Uchtred, prince of Northumberland and grandfather of Gospatrick, Earl of Northumberland, and ancestor of all the Dunbars.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking