"Lady Uldra, I have to thank you for saving my life today. Yours was a brave deed."
She shivered a little, at the thought of what she had done, as I think, for the heat of anger had gone.
"I am glad I was of use," she answered. "What are we to do when we come to land?"
"I will take you and the sisters to the great nunnery that good St. Wilfrith founded. There you will be welcomed."
So I said, but as I looked at her I thought what a prison the nunnery would be to such a maiden as this. Yet it was all that could be done.
"That will be peaceful," she said, but the tears seemed close at hand.
Now one of the men spoke to the other, looking back over his shoulder at him, and then when he was answered he turned to me.
"Master," he said, "tide serves ill for Selsea, and it will be easy for us to go straight up the haven to Bosham. The flood tide is strong in with us. May we do so?"
"Is there any nunnery there?" I asked.
"Why, yes, master--a little one."