"
The Etheling's eyes were riveted on the other's lips; his every muscle
strained toward him. Under the stimulus the page's words seemed to come a
little less uncertainly, a little more quickly.
"I think I could manage it for you, lord. They think me your unwilling
captive: you remember what the messenger said about freeing me? If I should go
to Rothgar--" his voice broke and his eyes sought his friend's eyes as though
they were wine-cups from which he would drink courage--" if I should go to
Rothgar, lord, I could declare myself escaped, and he would be likely to
believe any story I told him."
Sebert leaped up and caught the lad by the shoulders, then hesitated, weighing
it in his mind, half fearing to believe. "But are you sure that your tongue
will not trip you? Or your face, poor mouse? What! Can you make them believe
in abundance when your cheeks are like bowls for the catching of your tears?"
The boy seemed to gather strength from the caressing hands, as Thor from the
touch of his magic belt. He even gave a little breathless laugh of elation.
"As to that, I think he is not wise enough to guess the truth. I will tell him
that you have thought it revengeful toward him to starve your Danish captive;
and because it is in every respect according to what he would do in your
place, I think he will have no misgivings.
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