" He paused, and his voice became slower and much harder, as though he were
curbing his feelings with iron. "Since you have heard the Norman rumor," he
said, "it is likely that you have heard also of the discontent among the
Danes, who dislike my judgments; but in case you have not, I will tell you
that an abundance of them have betaken themselves to a place in the Middlesex
forest where they live outlaws,--and their leader is Rothgar Lodbroksson."
To motion back a man who was approaching him with a paper, he turned away for
a moment; and Sebert was glad of the excuse to avoid meeting his glance. Not
until now had he understood what the judgment in his favor had cost the judge,
and his heart was suddenly athrob with many emotions. "In no way is it strange
that I am hateful to him," he murmured. "But by Saint Mary, _he_ is of the
sort that is worth enduring from!"
He inclined his head in devoted attention as the King turned back, lowering
his tone to exclude all but the man before him. "Even less than I believe it
of Elfgiva of Northampton, do I believe it of Rothgar Lodbroksson, that he
would seek my life. But often that happens which one least expects, and it is
time that I use forethought for myself. Now I know of no man in the world who
is better able to help my case than you."
"I!" the Etheling ejaculated. Suddenly it occurred to him to suspect that his
new-sworn vow of obedience was about to be put genuinely to the test, and he
drew himself up stiffly, facing the King.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309