A Prince of Cornwall - A Story of Glastonbury and the West in the Days of Ina of Wessex by Charles W. (Charles Watts) Whistler
page 231 of 401 (57%)
page 231 of 401 (57%)
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Now, that was a servant I had never heard of, and I thought I knew
all the household. So I could not tell him if that would be of use, and he left me in some sort of desperation to try what he could. He was very much in love. Next day he came back beaming. Somehow the Welshwoman had managed things for him, and all was well again. I had my own thought that Elfrida was by no means unwilling to meet him halfway, but I did not say so. I think I had fairly got over my feelings by this time, but I must say that I felt a sort of half jealousy about it. But the more I came to look on the South Saxon's round face, and to think of him as Elfrida's favoured lover, the less I felt it. It became a jest to watch the going of the affair, and I was not the only one who found it so in a very short time. Erpwald made no secret of his devotion. He minded me of a great faithful stupid dog, whose trust was boundless and whose love was worth having. One could lead him anywhere, but he was true Sussex--he would not be driven an inch. So Elfrida had a hopeless slave at her beck and call, and by and by I was on the old footing, and we used to make much of my vow of service to her. "I would that I had made that vow," Erpwald said once. "It is not too late now," answered the ealdorman, with his great laugh; "but I do not think it is needed." After me went Erpwald when he was not at the ealdorman's, and Ina |
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