I have not seen him so bright since he came here; and he is looking eagerly for your return, seeming to expect some news." "It may be that our coming has been foretold him beforehand," said Heregar.

"Our king has warnings given him in his dreams at times." Then from out of the house Alfred's voice hailed us: "Surely that is the voice of my standard bearer.
"Come in quickly, Heregar, for all men know that hope comes with you." We went in; and it was a poor place enough for a king's lodging, though it was warm and neat.

Alfred sat over the fire in the middle of the larger room of the two which the house had, and a strew of chips and shreds of feathers and the like was round him; for he was arrow making--an art in which he was skilful, and he had all the care and patience which it needs.

When we came in he rose up, shaking the litter from his dress into the fire; and we bent our knees to him and kissed his hand.
"O my king," said Heregar, "why have you thus hidden yourself from us?
All the land is mourning for you." Then Alfred looked sadly at him and wistfully, answering: "First, because I must hide; lastly, because I would be hidden: but between these two reasons is one of which I repent--because I despaired." "Nay," said Denewulf, "it was not despair; it was grief and anxiousness and thought and waiting for hope.

Never have you spoken of despair, my king." "But I have felt it," he answered, "and I was wrong.