Indeed, I think that I should almost have forgotten that I had any, but for the foolishness of Sexberga, which bid fair to turn all things to sadness at one time.
I had spoken with her mother about my search for Hertha, telling her plainly all that had passed between me and Ailwin, and I asked her to tell me what she thought I must do now.
"Wait yet longer," she answered; "peace will come, and he will bring Hertha back to Bures." That ought to have been my own plan, but I had rather hoped to hear her say that I was right in holding myself free to choose afresh as I would.

The thought of being bound seemed irksome to me; though why I, landless and luckless, should have found it so, I could not say.

It mattered not at all at present.

So I said: "That is all one can do, lady; it matters not." "What thinks Sexberga ?" I asked presently.
"You have not spoken to her of your search, then ?" the lady said.
"I had thought that she would ask you of it first of all." She had asked nothing, and I had said nothing.
Then the lady said: "She and I spoke thereof with Uldra but yesterday, and they were both full of your praises for wishing to seek for your Hertha.

They will be glad to hear that you have done so, and sad that you have failed to find her." Then there came over me a wish that Uldra knew nought about it.