"Heaven forbid that so fair a life were cut short! Do not speak so of what may not be for many a long year, as one may hope."
"Then if he outlives you, he will make a bid for Mercia."
"Nay, but he is loyal, and Ecgfrith will be his brother. It will be good for our son that he has two queens for sisters--Wessex and Anglia are his supporters. But there is no need to speak thus; it is ill omened."
"Nay, but one must look forward. There would be no realm like yours if East Anglia were added thereto," says the queen slowly.
"We are adding it, wife, by this marriage, surely, as nearly as one may."
"It were better if it were in your own hands," she persists.
"Truly, you think that none can rule but yourself. Let it be, my queen. You will have a new pupil in statecraft in your son-in-law."
So says Offa, half laughing, and yet with a doubt in his mind as to what the queen means. Then he adds, for her face is cloudy:
"Trouble not yourself over these matters which are of the years to come; today all is well."
"Ay, today. But when the time comes that Ethelbert knows his strength? I will mind you that East Anglia has had a king ere this nigh as powerful as yourself. He will have other teachers in king-craft besides ourselves."