Then they all went out, shutting the door after them, and I was left to my thoughts, which were not happy.
I began to blame myself as a fool for not trying to let the princess see that all was not right.

But still I could not lose hope, for Thorgils might yet wish to see me, or the princess might send her men to look in on me.

There were more chances now than a little while ago, as I thought.
I began to think over all that were possible, presently, and I tried to get the gag from my mouth.

I could not reach it with my free hand, however, my elbows being too tightly fastened back even after all the shaking of the journey.

Then I thrust that free hand and forearm well among the bandages across my chest, so that either of my captors who thought of it might think that the other had bound it, for I dared not try to loosen myself more yet.