“And that right gladly,” said Egwina. “Little did I reck when I spake that ye were the same, but it delights me to have met with you again. Take the chain, Ethelred, and may it bring to pass thy every wish.” “No, Egwina;” and the youth returned it. ”I did but sport with thee. I wish not thy chain, though I thank thee for thy good wishes.“ “But I gave thee my word,” said the maiden. “I like not to break it. Prithee take it, Ethelred.” But Ethelred shook his head. “This is the solution,” and Ethelfleda took up the chain. “Thou, Egwina, shall have the chain, and Ethelred the amulet which gives him his desires.” “Wise art thou, Ethelfleda. Worthy to be thy father’s daughter!” said Ethelred, taking the amulet. “I take it with thy well wishes, Egwina, and from thee, Ethelfleda, that I may realize a wish that hath lately sprung up in my heart.” “Art thou pleased, Egwina?” asked Ethelfleda. “Yes,” answered she. “And I would that the amulet may bring him his wish. I am glad that he hath taken it.” “But not I,” remarked Edward, detaching an amulet from his own chain. “Bare is it without an ornament. Take this in its place, Egwina. No charm hath it but the well wishes of the donor.” He clasped the amulet on the chain, and threw it over her shoulders. Egwina’s eyes shone. “I cared not for the amulet of Hakon jarl,” she said, “but this will I prize because thou, the king’s son, hath given it.” “Ye must to your rest now, people,” called Elswitha, coming up to them. “To-morrow will we set forth to join the king in the forest. So hie ye to rest, for we must start early enough to end the journey by nightfall.” With merry good-nights the group separated, Ethelfleda carrying Egwina with her to her own bower. CHAPTER XV—THE BEGGAR OF ATHELNEY Joyfully did Alfred greet them on their arrival at Athelney. “Well hast thou done, little one,” he said to Egwina. “Never will Alfred forget how leal thou hast been to him.” “But the jewel, my king? I grieve that I have lost it.” “’Tis nought,” reassured the king. “A trifle like that can be replaced. And thou wouldst not, for thy life’s sake, give it of thine own free will. Loyalty and honor hast thou shown—two of the brightest virtues in friendship’s crown.” Glowing with pleasure, Egwina hastened to greet Denewulf and Adiva, who were overjoyed at her return. A cottage had been built on Athelney for Alfred, and to this he now repaired with his family. Ethelfleda would not be separated from Egwina, so the gleemaiden also went with them, much to the sorrow of the swineherd and his wife, who made her promise to return to them for a part of each day. The island had been well intrenched and numbers had flocked to it. So many were there that the scant resources of the place were soon exhausted, and so dire was the necessity of the king that he was forced to forage for provisions.