So the crowd melted away soon, and we knocked, asking admission, and showing the letter from the prioress of Bridgwater.
Now here there was much state, as it seemed, and we must wait for a little, but then the gates were thrown open, and we rode through them into the courtyard, which was large and open.

Then opened a great door on the left, and there was the abbess with many sisters, and one asked me for the letter we bore.

So I gave it, and, standing there, the abbess read it while we waited.
As she read she grew pale, and then flushed again, and at last, after twice reading, came down the steps, all her state forgotten, and with tears embraced Alswythe, giving thanks for her safety.

And then, leaving her, she came to me where I sat, unhelmed, and gave me her hand, thanking me for all I had done, and, as she said, perhaps for the safety of the Bridgwater sisters also.
Then all of a sudden she went back up the steps, where the sisters were whispering together, and became cold and stately again, so that I wondered if I had offended her in not speaking, which I dared not.
When she was back again in her place, she bade Alswythe and her maidens welcome, and added that all her sister prioress asked her she would do.
Also, that one would come and show us lodging for men and horses, which should be at the expense of the nunnery.
So Alswythe must needs part from us coldly, even as she had joined us at Bridgwater, as a noble lady from her attendants, giving us her hand to kiss only.

But I went back to my horse well content, knowing that her love and thoughts went out to me.
She went through the great door, but it closed not so fast but that I might see the abbess put her arm around her very tenderly, her state forgotten again, and I knew that she was in good hands.
Now when the horses were stabled, and our men knew where they should bide in the strangers' lodgings--set apart for the trains of guests to the nunnery, which were very spacious--Wulfhere and I must needs find the way to get audience of the bishop.