But in those few moments she had been as a friend who warned me of a danger unforeseen.

Even thus had Edric Streone spoken with Sigeferth, fairly and pleasantly.
I left the house, feeling uneasy therefore; but I could not think that Edric would deem me worth crushing, and it seemed that the lady would let her hatred of Edric go far.
They had given me lodging in the town across the river, where there was a large guest house that had been made in the days of OEthelfloed {11}, the brave lady of the Mercians who won back the Five Boroughs from the Danes.

One could see the great fort she made rising from the river banks over the whole town.

No other thane was in guest quarters there with me, and I and my men had the place to ourselves.

Nor was there anyone in Stamford at the time whom I knew, apart from the people of Eadmund's household.
So I went along the street slowly enough, and presently I passed a house where through the open window I saw a goldsmith working, and I thought that he could do somewhat for me.