He had won even their love.
When I would go back to Bures, Emma the queen sent for me, hearing that I would speak with her ere I went, and she received me most kindly, coming down from her high place to greet me.
"Redwald," she said, laughing a little, "I was a sore burden to you when we fled hence." "My queen," I answered, "the danger was the burden.

It weighed on all of us." "That is a court speech," she said; "but we taught you court ways, and I will not blame it.

Nevertheless, though you will not tell me so plainly, I know that I made things worse for you by my foolishness.

Forgive the abbess, if the queen may expect nought but smooth words." "I do not know how I can answer you, Queen Emma," said I at that, "but it is true that for you I would go through the same again." "Then I am forgiven," she said.

"Now tell me what became of the brave maiden who withstood the Danes with you, and also my sharp tongue--trouble sharpened it, Redwald, and I have repented my hard words to her." "She is with friends at Penhurst, near to Earl Wulfnoth's castle of Pevensea.