“What?”
“Shall I go back and kill him?” And he held out the little axe.
Torfrida snatched it from his grasp with a shriek, and cast it inside the convent door.
“Mother Mary and all saints!” cried the portress, “your garments are in rags, madam!”
“Never mind. Bring me garments of yours. I shall need none other till I die!” and she walked in and on.
“She is come to be a nun!” whispered the portress to the next sister, and she again to the next; and they all gabbled, and lifted up their hands and eyes, and thanked all the saints of the calendar, over the blessed and miraculous conversion of the Lady Torfrida, and the wealth which she would probably bring to the convent.
Torfrida went straight on, speaking to no one, not even to the prioress; and into Lady Godiva’s chamber.
There she dropped at the countess’s feet, and laid her head upon her knees.
“I am come, as you always told me I should do. But it has been a long way hither, and I am very tired.”
“My child! What is this? What brings you here?”