"
So she went, not thinking for a moment that there was a priest of the
faith to be heard of. Mostly she wanted to hear more of Havelok, but she
would honestly do her other errand.
But on her way across the courtyard she met Mord, and he was a great
friend of hers.
"Whither now, nurse? They will not let you go out of the palace. They
say that there is trouble on hand with those folk that fell on us, and
we have to bide in shelter for a day or two."
"Well, I have been down the town this hour, and all is quiet enough.
This Alsi is an over-timid man. But I was seeking Berthun with a strange
message from the princess, and one that is not over safe here."
"Let me give it then."
"Well, it is nothing more or less than to ask if he can find a Christian
priest. Our mistress has had a strange dream, and it is true that it
sorely troubles her. So she wants one to whom she may tell it, that it
may be read aright. But though I must ask, I do not hope to find one."
"Why," said Mord, "there is not one Christian in all Lindsey."
"I would not say that. When I was first here with Orwenna the queen,
before she married Ethelwald, there were some in the marsh; for one day
I heard my own tongue spoken there, hunting with my mistress; and so she
stayed and talked with these poor folk, though the Welsh they spoke was
bad enough.
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