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Three cleared four, five. Ah, he nears the sixth! No, he misses it! seven, eight one more nine! Ethelgiva fainted. A deep sound of applause, not even suppressed by the character of the place. Elfwyn received his adopted son in his arms: "Saved, saved!" he cried. "Thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory!" replied Alfgar.
But, as is often the case in an age where opinion is severely repressed in its outward expression, and amongst those compelled against their will to observe silence on such subjects on ordinary occasions, all restraint seemed abandoned at the table of Ethelgiva.
I performed the ceremony, assisted by all the brethren in the choral portions of the mass and the order of the marriage service. Ethelgiva was pale and composed although she shed a few natural tears, but wiped them soon. Alfgar was simple and unaffected, as he always is. All he does is so naturally done. Like Nathaniel, he is a man without guile. The church was crowded.
"I thank you; you have taken away the bitterness of death and Ethelgiva?" "Would die for her conviction of your truth." "Thank God!" he said fervently, his face brightening at once; tears, indeed, rolled down his cheeks, but they seemed rather of gratitude than grief.
We have provided him lodgings in the priory. The new hall is not to be dwelt in till the night when the happy pair enter it and make it their home. Alfgar's cup of joy is full. Monday after the Whitsun Octave. At last it is over. The weary waiting of ten years is ended. Alfgar and Ethelgiva are man and wife. Canute gave away the bride in person.
Dunstan was to follow him in a week, and only remained behind to discharge necessary business. The heart of the amorous Edwy beat with delight as he saw his uncle depart, and he made arrangements at once to spend the night after Dunstan's departure in mirth and jollity at the house of Ethelgiva and her fair daughter.
Ethelgiva, the lady of the house, was of noble presence, which almost seemed to justify the claim of royal blood which was made for her. Tall and commanding, age had not bent her form, although her locks were already white.
Here I communicated my fears respecting Alfgar, whom I had invited, with my brother's permission, to sup at the hall. "Could you not keep the poor fellow with you all night? I fear his father is in some danger, as well he may be, acting as wickedly as he did this very morn." "I will try to persuade him to stay, he is along with Bertric and Ethelgiva; they are only a few steps behind.
His stout resistance gained the day in the first instance, but Edwy never felt at rest while Dunstan lived at peace in the land, and Ethelgiva and her fair daughter were ever inciting him to fresh acts of hostility, little as he needed such incitement. The first measures were of a very dishonourable kind.
But my dear nephew Bertric, Saint Bertric we must assuredly call him, oh how it will lighten the grief of his parents and sister to know how gloriously he died for Christ! One could envy him his crown. And then how delighted Ethelgiva will be to learn not only that Alfgar is alive, but to hear how true and brave he has been.