Then he said, "Guthrum and I spoke just now, and he said that your faith must be worth more than he knew, to set you so fixedly on it."
Now I would have told him that it was so, but there came a little sound at the door, and Halfden went and opened it. Across its half darkness came a woman's form, and Osritha spoke in her soft voice.
"Brother, are you here yet?"
"Aye, sister, both of us--come and persuade this foolish Wulfric."
Then I spoke quickly, for it seemed to me that if Osritha spoke and urged me, I should surely give way.
"Nay, but you must not persuade me--would you have had us Christians bid your father choose between death and gain for the sake of winning him to our faith?"
Then said Halfden, "That would I not."
But in the dark Osritha came to my side and clung to me, so that I was between those two whom I loved and must lose, for Halfden held my right hand, and Osritha my left, and she was weeping silently for me.
"Listen," I said, for the speaking must be mine lest they should prevail. "Should I die willingly for one who has given His life for me?"
"Aye, surely--if that might be," said Halfden.