"Aye, my son, that I should have surely been," he said, "but I found a hiding place until their fury was past, and the host swept on, leaving but a few among us. Some of these were wounded men, and you mind that I am skilled in leechcraft. So I dressed myself in a freeman's garb and tended them, winning their respect at least, if not gratitude. So I have been the leech ever since, for the church was burnt, and many a priest was slain, and these Danes are but half Christian if they are not open pagans; and I might not don my frock, else would there have been no one left to christen and say mass and marry for our poor folk in quiet places." Then I said: "Where did you find a hiding place, father?" "It was shown me by one who made me promise--aye and take oath, moreover, as if my word were not enough--that I would tell no man where it is. For such a place once known to any but those who use it is safe no longer." "Was it Gunnhild who helped you thus?" I said, for I remembered now my last words to him, that he should seek her. "I may say that it was Gunnhild. There she and Hertha and I were safe till the worst was over," he answered, and looked in my face. Then I must say what was in my mind all the while, and I asked him plainly: "Where is Hertha now, father? Is she yet well and safe?" "Both well and safe with Gunnhild," he said. "Where is she--can I seek her?" The old man looked at me meaningly for a minute, and I grew hot under his kindly gaze. "What remember you of Hertha, my son?" he said gently. "All, father," I answered; "but does she remember aught?" "She remembers--she has never forgotten," he said. And I had forgotten for so long. I think the old priest, who was so used to deal with men, saw what was written in my face, for he smiled a little and said: "Women have time to think, but a warrior of today has had none. What think you of your meeting with Hertha?" Then I said, being sure that Ailwin understood the puzzle that was in my mind: "Father, I know not what to think. We are bound--but now it is likely that we should not know one another if we met; in truth, I think I fear to meet her." "Is there any other maiden?" he asked, still smiling. "Once I thought there was--and not so long ago either," I said honestly, "but I remembered in time. Now I will say truly that there is not." I had no longing for Penhurst now. Then there came across me a strange feeling that one might hardly call jealousy--though it was near it--and I said: "Has she seen any other who would make her wish to forget?" "Truly she has not," Ailwin laughed; "how should she?" "I know not where she has been, father," I said with a lighter heart, although but an hour ago I thought that I should have been glad to hear that it was so. "Ah--I forgot," Ailwin said in some little confusion as I thought, and he was silent. But now I would say more.