"Now you have offended the present, and I shall have to say that the absent need not be so."
"Nor the present either, Princess. See here, Lord, the man you are so wondrous like in face did the bravest deed I have seen for many a day. Moreover, he saved the life of a king thereby. Shall I tell thereof?"
Now this was a new tale to Nona, for, as may be supposed, I had not said that it was myself who handled Morgan so roughly, as I told the tale of his end. It would have seemed like boasting myself somewhat, as I thought, so I did but say that he was dragged away from the king in time. Nor had I spoken of Elfrida. The tale was told hurriedly, and when it was done there had been no thought but of Owen. It was greater news here that he lived than that Ina had narrowly escaped.
So she glanced round at me in some surprise, and then turned again to Thorgils.
"Some time you shall, for I love your songs. Not now, for we have not time."
"Thanks, Lady. It will be a good song, and is shaping well in my mind. There is a brave lady therein also."
"Well, you have not told us who the brave man is.
"Did I not know that Oswald, son of Owen the Cornish prince, was by this time in Glastonbury, I should have said he was here, so great is the likeness. It is a marvel.
"Now, Lord, you will forgive me, no doubt."
"Ay, freely," I said, turning round sharply. "That is, if your friend has a sword as good as this," and I shewed him the gemmed hilt of Ina's gift from beneath the folds of my great cloak.