And men proved lonely journeys of mine, with evasion of notice thereof, and disavowal of the same.

Yet I thought that Matelgar the Thane knew of my love for Alswythe, his daughter, whom I would meet, as lovers will meet, unobserved if they may, in all honour.
Yet, as I listened, it was of these meetings they spoke, saying only that I had been able to concord whom I met, and where, though Matelgar must have known it.

When that was finished, Eanulf bade me call men to disprove these things.

And I could not.

For my accusers were my close companions, and of Alswythe I would not speak, and I must fain hold my peace.
Only, after a silence, I could forbear no longer, and cried: "Will none speak for me ?" Then one by one my father's friends rose and told what they knew of my boyhood and training; but of these last few years of my manhood they, alas for my own folly could not speak.