"If I know aught of her kindness, and I think that I have proved it well," answered I, "she will be glad to help this orphan maiden."
"Let us go and see her, and ask her to come, therefore," said Relf, rising up. "I want to thank her, moreover, for saving you."
I was nowise loath, and so we went along under the trees towards the nunnery. And as we went Relf talked of Eldred, the Thane of Dallington, and the wedding that was to come. And all the while I believe that he was troubling about two things that were mixed in his mind--fear that I was set aside by Sexberga, and a wish that I had been the bridegroom.
Then we knocked on the great door, and he was silent until a sister looked through the little barred square wicket in the midst of it.
"We would speak with the Lady Uldra," I said. "I am the thane who brought her ashore."
The sister said nought, but shut the wicket door, and left us. We heard her steps retreating across the little courtyard, and she shut a door after her somewhere else. Then all was quiet.
"What does that mean?" Relf said.
"That we have to wait," said I "that is all. It is the way in which they treat folk at these places. They would do the same if the queen came. She has gone to her Superior."
"What would Emma say?" chuckled Relf, looking slyly at me.
"One cannot say much to an iron-barred oak door."