Talk not of servants to a wretched slave,
who only longs to crawl into some hole and die, forgetting all she was and
all she had."
And the great Countess reeled with weariness and woe, and fell upon
Torfrida's neck.
A tall veiled lady next her helped to support her; and between them they
almost carried her through the hall, and into Torfrida's best
guest-chamber.
And there they gave her wine, and comforted her, and let her weep awhile
in peace.
The second lady had unveiled herself, displaying a beauty which was still
brilliant, in spite of sorrow, hunger, the stains of travel, and more than
forty years of life.
"She must be Gunhilda," guessed Torfrida to herself, and not amiss.
She offered Gyda a bath, which she accepted eagerly, like a true Dane.
"I have not washed for weeks. Not since we sat starving on the Flat-Holme
there, in the Severn sea. I have become as foul as my own fortunes: and
why not? It is all of a piece. Why should not beggars beg unwashed?"
But when Torfrida offered Gunhilda the bath she declined.
"I have done, lady, with such carnal vanities. What use in cleansing that
body which is itself unclean, and whitening the outside of this sepulchre?
If I can but cleanse my soul fit for my heavenly Bridegroom, the body may
become--as it must at last--food for worms.
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