hat it matters if you speak with
him."

"Why should it matter if I speak with any one I choose?" asked Mord,
somewhat angrily.

"That you must ask the king; for his orders are that the people of the
princess have no dealings with outsiders for two days."

"Mighty careful of us is Alsi all of a sudden," said Mord. "I suppose he
thinks that someone will stick a seax into some of us in all friendly
wise while we are talking."

But Berthun only laughed, and went to where the nurse was beckoning to
him. He told her his own thoughts of Havelok, being glad to have a ready
hearer.

At once Withelm was able to tell Mord that the old priest who was his
friend was in Lincoln at this time by good chance, and that he would
surely come to the princess at need. But when they came to talk of when
and how, it did not seem all so easy; and Mord went to the nurse to tell
her all.

Then they had to speak to Berthun about it, and he was kindly and
willing to help; but he said that none might come to speak with the
princess without leave from the king. No doubt he would grant it easily,
if asked by Goldberga herself.

"I will go and tell her," said the old lady. "Keep your man here till I
return."

Now she brought this good news to the princess, and one need not say how
she rejoiced. And now a thought had come to her, and she was eager to
send a message to Alsi.

"Surely," she thought, "he does but threaten me with the kitchen knave,
that he may make me change my will. And, therefore, if I say that I am
ready to obey him, he will be pleased; and then time is gained at the
least, and it is not possible that he will choose so badly for me after
all."

So when the nurse asked her what she would do about getting the priest
to her presence, she said, "Go and tell my uncle first that I am willing
to obey him in the matter of which we spoke this morning."

"So that was what has troubled you after all, and not the dream? I
thought it should not have made all these tear marks," said the nurse
quickly. "Now, why did you not tell me? I dare give Alsi a talking to if
he needs it."

"Nay, nurse, but it was the dream. My uncle and I did but disagree on
somewhat, and maybe I was wrong. By-and-by I will tell you."

"Tell me now, and then I shall know better how to ask for what you need."

But Goldberga could not bring herself to say what Alsi had threatened,
and now felt sure that she would hear no more of that. So she told the
nurse tha