But I would fain learn more of that, for the sake of the hope of a love I had thought true.
"What is your mistress to me ?" I asked.

"Ye are all alike." I think the man could see well at what I aimed, for he spoke of the Lady Alswythe more freely than he would have dared at other times, nor would I have let him name her lightly.
"Our mistress has gone sadly since the day you were taken, master; even asking me to tell her, if I could, where you were kept, thinking me one of those who guarded you, mayhap.

But I knew not till today what had chanced to you.

Men may know well from such tokens what is amiss." Hearing that, my heart lightened within me, for I saw that the man spoke truth.

However, I would not speak more of this to such as he, and I bade him cease his prating, and answer plainly my first question, laying my hand on my seax as if to draw it.
"Gurth could have told you; master," he cried, "but he is dead.