And presently a housecarle spoke to him, and he rose up and left
the hall. Then they led me to a smaller chamber, and there he was alone,
and waiting for me.
Now I knew not what his wish to see me might mean, but from him I looked
for no harm, remembering how he had seemed to favour me even in refusing
my request. But, least of all did I look for him to come forward to meet
me, taking both my hands, and grasping them, while he thanked me for the
day's work.
"Lightly I let you go last night, Heregar," he said, "setting little
store on the matter among all the trouble of the gathering. But when I
sent you away and forgot you, surely the saints guided me. For I have
heard how you dared to go down to Stert and warn us all, and I saw you
stay the flight, even now. Much praise, and more than that, is due to
you. Were you in the fight?"
Then I could answer him to a plain question; for all this praise, though
it was good to hear, abashed me.
"Nay, Sheriff," I answered. "Fain would I have been there, but a wiser
head than mine advised me, and bade me do your bidding, and forbear.
Else should I surely have fought."
"Loyalty has brought good to us all, Heregar," he said, looking squarely
at me. "Yet should I have hardly blamed you had you disobeyed me.
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