You won your first
honor for my sake. But who am I now, that you should turn out of your
glorious path for me?"
"I will do anything,--anything. But why miscall this noble prince a
monster?"
"If he were fairer than St. John, more wise than Solomon, and more valiant
than King William, he is to me a monster; for I loathe him, and I know not
why. But do your duty as a knight, sir. Convey the lawful wife to her
lawful spouse."
"What cares an outlaw for law, in a land where law is dead and gone? I
will do what I--what you like. Come with me to Torfrida at Bourne; and let
me see the man who dares try to take you out of my hand."
Alftruda laughed again.
"No, no. I should interrupt the little doves in their nest. Beside, the
billing and cooing might make me envious. And I, alas! who carry misery
with me round the land, might make your Torfrida jealous."
Hereward was of the same opinion, and rode silent and thoughtful through
the great woods which are now the noble park of Burghley.
"I have found it!" said he at last. "Why not go to Gilbert of Ghent, at
Lincoln?"
"Gilbert? Why should he befriend me?"
"He will do that, or anything else, which is for his own profit."
"Profit? All the world seems determined to make profit out of me. I
presume you would, if I had come with you to Bourne.
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