But Canute was tracing idle patterns
on the carving of his chair-arm.
"Listen, Lord of Ivarsdale," he said quietly. "It is unadvisable for me to
stir up further rebellion among the Danes by accusing them of things which it
is not certain they have done, and even though I seized upon these women it
would not help; while I cannot let the matter continue, since one thing after
another, worse and worse, would be caused by it. The only man who can end it,
while keeping quiet, is the one who has the friendship of the only woman among
them to whose honor I would risk my life. I mean Randalin, Frode's daughter."
Whether or not he heard Sebert's exclamation, he spoke on as though it had not
been uttered. "One thing is, that she knows nothing of a plot; for did she so,
she would have warned me had it compelled her to swim the Thames to reach me.
But she must be able to tell many tidings that we wish to know, with regard to
the use they make of their jewels, and the Danes who visit them, and such
matters, which might be got from her without letting her suspect that she is
telling news. Now you are the one person who might do this without making any
fuss, and it is my will therefore that you go to her as soon as you can. Your
excuse shall be that the Abbot has in his keeping some law-parchments which I
have the wish to see, but while you are there, I want you to renew your
friendship with her and find out these things for me.
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