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Wine and wassail unloosed men's tongues. Redwald sat near the king, who had introduced him to Ella as a dear friend both to him and his son "a very Mentor," he said, "who, since the unhappy quarrel into which my counsellors forced me yes, forced me with Dunstan, has done more to keep Elfric and me straight in our morals than at one time I should have thought possible for any man to do.
Had Dunstan been then in town, the whole story would have been told, and much misery saved, for Elfric felt he could trust him if he could trust anybody; but unhappily Dunstan was, as we have seen, keeping Passiontide at his abbey.
And as we spoke thereof, neither of us being willing to give way for, indeed, it did not seem to me that it mattered much whether I stayed, while Elfric had his own family, who would be sorely terrified for him Thorleif decided it. "Elfric the thane must go," he said, "for men will listen to him. That is the main thing, after all.
Now it seemed to me also that we had better hasten, or we should have a strong force down on us. Then if we fought, Edric would have occasion against me, and if not, I was lost. "To horse, men!" I said. "We will go to Peterborough for this night. Abbot Elfric is my friend, and will give us shelter." "Let us take the road for London rather, and get back to Olaf the king," said the headman.
"You must admit them, or they will batter the door down. Edwy, Elfric! here, hide yourselves behind that curtain, it veils a deep recess." They had scarcely concealed themselves when Dunstan entered, attended by a guard of the royal hus-carles. "What means this insolence?" said Ethelgiva.
To return to our subject: The feast proceeded with great animation. At first Elfric hesitated when the meat was placed before him, but he withered, in his weakness, before the mocking smile of Edwy, and the sarcasm which played upon the lips of the rest of the company, who perceived his hesitation. So he yielded, and, shaking off all restraint, ate heartily.
The messenger particularly asserted that he had seen Elfric, and had been charged with the fondest messages for home, where the youth hoped to be in a few days at the latest, seeing there was no longer an enemy to fear. The hearts of all present were filled with thankfulness and joy. "Come, my beloved Edith," said the old thane.
"Come with us, Elfric," said the prince "there is no one in the palace to interfere with us. Old Dunstan received a sudden message, and has gone out hastily; we will go and see what he has written." Somewhat startled at the audacity of the proposal, Elfric followed the prince, and Redwald accompanied them.
I have made all the arrangements; we shall have such a night at the lady Ethelgiva's." "How is the fair Elgiva?" It was now Edwy's turn to blush and look confused. "I wish I had the power of teasing you, Elfric. But if you have a secret you keep it close. Remember old Dunstan vanishes on the fifteenth, and the same evening, oh, won't it be joyful? But I am tired of work.
They drank a parting cup, then separated, while the king took Elfric's arm and led him aside. "Elfric," said he, "did I not know my friend and most faithful follower, I should suspect that he feared the morrow's conflict." "I cannot help it," said Elfric; "perhaps I do fear it, yet, had I but my father's forgiveness, could I but see him once more, I could laugh at the danger.
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