Then all at once came over me one thought of how Hertha had perhaps, after all, longed and waited and prayed for my coming. I remembered words that Ailwin had spoken that seemed to say that this might be so; and thus on the very threshold of freedom I shrank back lest I should wrong the child I had loved by breaking my troth so solemnly plighted; and I knew not what to say, while the queen looked at me wondering. Then she smiled and said: "Maybe you cannot love the maiden. Wait awhile, and let me hear of you again. One may not, in kindness, force these matters. But I will trust you to tell me if she is to wed any other than you--for her portion shall be ready for her. The riches of England and Denmark and Norway are mine." There spoke Emma of Normandy again, and her proud look came back. The maidens on the dais were smiling at one another, for the queen was turned away from them. "Let it be thus, my queen," I said, after I had thanked her. And she said that it should be so, deeming that I had thought of Uldra not at all, maybe. Then she spoke of my own doings, and Cnut came as we did so. I bowed to him, and he took my hand, calling me "thane" in all good faith. "Now I have to come ere long into your country," he said, "for I have vowed to build a church in each place where I have fought and conquered. Have you a house where I may stay?" "My place is far from Ashingdon, lord king," I answered, "and I am rebuilding my father's house as best I can." "I suppose my men burnt it?" he said plainly. "Your father's men did so in the first coming." "Therefore shall his son rebuild for your father's son," said the king. "Will you accept aught from me?" "Lord king," said I, "I have fought against you, and have owned you unwillingly at first." "That is certain," he said laughing, "else had you not tried to take away my queen. Go to, Redwald, you are a troublesome subject." "I think I shall be so no longer," I answered. So those two most royal ones bade me farewell, and I went away to Elfric, and found Godwine there. The young earl was high in favour with Cnut, and rightly. Presently came one from the king with somewhat for me, and that was a goodly gift of money, which I hardly cared to take at first. Then Godwine laughed at me. "We have a great chest half full of gold at Pevensea out of which you may take a double handful whenever you need it. Cnut has the gold of three kingdoms and says you may do the same out of his hoards. Head breaking brought you the first, and hardship the second. Take one as you would the other, man. It is your due." And Elfric added that the king's gift was surely out of goodness of heart. There could be no thought of bribes now. So I took it, and was glad thereof, for I could not ask my people for rents and dues yet. Elfric asked me of Uldra, as one might suppose, and was glad when he heard of her welfare.