"
Now Goldberga knew that, and had long made up her mind that when the
time came she would not shrink from the burden of the crown.
It may well have been that Alsi thought that she would wish to wait for
a time yet, for he did not seem altogether pleased when she answered,
"If the Witan thinks right, I am ready."
"But," he said, "there is one thing to come before that. The Witan must
know who your husband shall be. And that is reasonable, for he will have
a share in ruling the kingdom."
Then said Goldberga, "They need have no fear in that matter, for I will
wed none but a king or the heir of a king."
"Well," said Alsi, dryly enough, "they are not so plentiful as are
blackberries, and there may be two words to that."
"I am not anxious to be wedded," answered the princess, "and I can wait.
It is, as you say, a matter that is much to the country."
Then Alsi tried another plan, seeing that Goldberga was not at all put
out by this. So he forced a cunning smile that was meant to be pleasant,
and said, "I had thought that your mind ran somewhat on Ragnar."
He looked to see the lady change colour, but she did not.
"Ragnar is my cousin," she said, "or a good brother to me, if you will.
Moreover, until the other day when he met me in London by some good
fortune, I had hardly seen him since my father died.
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