"It did indeed, lady, for it was but yesterday that the earl received a
letter from you written at Hampton. He said to me as he opened it, 'Would I
were in peace at Hampton, free from all these troubles and intrigues.'"
"I have come down in a horse-litter," she said, "and save the two retainers
who accompanied me none knew of my intentions. I know, Wulf, that you have
the confidence of the earl and that you love him and would do your best for
him."
"I would lay down my life for him, lady. Even did I not love and honour him
as I do, I would die for him, for he is the hope of England, and he alone
can guide the country through its troubles, both from within and without.
The life of a single man is as nought in the scale."
"Nor the happiness of a single woman," she added. "Now, Wulf, I want to
know from you exactly how matters stand here. My lord, when he writes to me
always does so cheerfully, ever making the best of things; but it is most
important that I should know his real mind. It is for that that I have
travelled here. This Witenagemot that assembles to-morrow--what will come
of it?"
"The earl thinks it will doubtless pass the resolution reconciling the
North and South, and declaring that there shall be oblivion for the past,
and that all things shall go back to their former footing save as to the
change of earls."
"It is easy to vote that," she said quietly; "but will it be held to? It
depends not upon Northumbrians nor Saxons, but upon Edwin and Morcar.
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