The maiden looked once at the quiet face, and once more at me, with wide eyes, and then she knew what I meant, and turned quickly from me and wept silently.
I stood beside her, not daring to speak, and yet longing to be on the road. And so still were we that Kolgrim got off his horse and came to the door and called me, though not loudly.
I stepped back to him.
"Come again in a few minutes and say one word--'Saxons'" I whispered, "then we shall go."
He nodded and drew back. I think the maiden had not heard me move, for she was bent over the bed and what lay thereon. It seemed very long to me before I heard my comrade at the door.
"Saxons, master!" he said loudly.
"Say you so?" I answered, and then I touched the maiden's arm gently.
"Lady, we must go quickly," I said. "The dame is past all help of ours, and none can harm her. Come, I pray you."
She stood up then, still looking away from me, and I drew the covering over the still face she gazed at.
"You must leave her, and I know these Saxons will not wrong the dead," said I gently. "Your father will miss you."