Strange that, now my enemy was dead, I had no joy in it; but I thought of Alswythe only.
The sheriff went on, looking at me closely.
"He bade me find Heregar, the outlawed thane who spoke last night to me, and bid him forgive.

Then he died, and I must needs leave him, for the Danes came on in force." Still I was silent, for many thoughts came up in my heart and choked me.
How I had hated him, and yet how he had wronged me--even to seeking my life.

Yet was I beginning to think of him but as a bad father to my Alswythe, but a man to be held in some regard, for the sake of her love to him.

And it seems to me that shaping my words to this end so often had gradually turned my utter bitterness away: for one has to make one's thoughts go the way one speaks, if one would seem to speak true.
"I may not make out all this, Heregar, my friend," said the sheriff; "but that you were disloyal ever, no man may say in my hearing after this day's work.

And I know that Matelgar was the foremost in accusing you.