Then I told them of my message to the king, and at that Alswythe
rejoiced. And the abbess said that doubtless the king would reward the
messenger, and what reward would I ask an he did so?
Now there was only one reward to me in all the world, and for answer I
took Alswythe's hand, all wet with the water she bathed my hurt with,
and kissed it. On which the maiden blushed, and looked down, but the
abbess laughed softly, saying, "Verily, I thought so," and then seemed
to choke a little, turning away from us. And Alswythe did not draw away
her hand from mine, but let her cheek rest for a moment against my head,
and so there was a little silence.
Then the abbess turned round again, and her eyes were bright, but the
shine was of tears in them, and she spoke briskly.
"Now must you get hence, Heregar, my son, and go your way to the king
with all haste, so shall you be back the sooner. Give him a scarf to
bind that wound, Alswythe; so shall it seem an honour and not a scar."
So there was a little leave taking, but not much, though enough, and I
went from the nunnery with Alswythe's white and red and gold scarf over
my shoulder; gay enough to look at, but no gayer than the heart beneath it.
And there, waiting for me in the street, was my tail, armed and drawn up
in line of fours to see me back to the abbey.
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