"My lord," she burst forth at last, "what will ye do if things fall out even so as your dearest wishes be undermined?"
Offa spread wide his hands.
"How now, sweetheart?" he queried, laughing.
"It were well to be ready. If East Anglia become our foe—if Ethelbert will not wed with Ethelfrith——?"
"Not wed with Ethelfrith! Not wed my little maid! How, wife, what meanest thou?"
"I understand not, for my life," said Cynerith, "which way things are faring between them twain! It is my belief that Ethelbert is here to pick a quarrel with thee, Offa."
"Tush, woman, woman! I have marked nought of this."
"Thou wilt own that my woman's wit is ever quicker than thine own, husband. I think he beareth little love to our daughter, and none to thee or me, or any of us. For all he is so mild, and his tongue so smooth, he is a man to scheme deep undertakings. Why hath he brought with him so great an armed train—greater far than a wedding warranteth? Offa, I tell thee this youth will some day spread his sway in England, even so far as thou hast spread thine!"
"If I thought he truly scorned my daughter…."
"Shall we let him go forth, husband, wed or unwed? Thou shouldst set him straightway in ward, the wheedling knave! or there are other ways, maybe!"