“If it pleaseth thee, then doth it please me,” answered Egwina. “So that we be near each other.”
[CHAPTER XXVIII—AN UNEXPECTED GUEST]
To London, or, as it was then known, Lundenbrige, the old British name, the brother and sister went. London, with its narrow, winding streets and low dwellings. London, which has grown from the rudiments of a municipal constitution which Alfred planted to the metropolis of to-day. London, which owes to the same king not only its municipality, but also the defenses which rendered it impregnable to the later attacks of the Danes.
Close by the bridge which had spanned the Thames from Roman times immemorial, at the meeting-places of the roads in that district known as East Cheap, the two found a cottage and there did they dwell. Already possessed of some knowledge of the craft of goldsmith, Siegbert allied himself with foreign workmen and cultivated the craft assiduously, soon becoming an expert. Egwina attended to the duties of the little household and happily the time glided by. All that she had learned of books at the court of the king did she impart to Siegbert, so that in giving to him of her learning she but impressed it the more firmly upon her own mind.
Two years passed thus, and if Egwina’s heart ever turned with longing toward that far-off time when, beloved and honored, she dwelt an inmate of the king’s household, or if the image of Edward rose before her, none knew of it save herself.
It was spring. Egwina drew back the linen blind that did duty in place of glass, which was in use only by the nobles or churches, and leaned out. The air came soft and fresh against her face. A song thrush on a budding tree near the window trilled forth his merry lay, and the maiden listened with light heart.
“Hail to thee, maiden,” said a townsman who was passing, saluting her. “Heardest thou the news?”
“Nay, I have heard naught,” answered the maiden, returning the salutation. “What hath happened?”
“King Alfred and Edward the atheling have come against the city, and Dane and Saxon alike have acknowledged him as overlord. Now hath he brought a great army of workmen and prepareth to rebuild the wall with which the Roman once encompassed the city. Fortifications and manors also doth he purpose erecting.”
“Is the king himself in the burgh?” questioned the maiden, faint with joy.