A stormy scene had meanwhile taken place in an interior chamber of the palace of the bishop, which had been metamorphosed into a council chamber for the king. There were present Ethelred himself, his irrepressible son, the traitor Edric, the bishop, the sheriff of the shire, and the reeve of the borough, with the captain of the hus-carles, or royal guard. "We all need Divine guidance at this moment," said Edric, clasping his hands meekly; "would you, my lord and king, ask the bishop to open our proceedings with especial prayer for the grace of meekness." "Hypocrite!" said Edmund, with a sound like the gnashing of teeth. The bishop, however, said the form generally used at the meetings of council, but omitted to notice the special suggestion of Edric. "The case before us," said the king, "is a difficult and trying one, but one which we must discharge in our bounden duty towards our subjects. Perhaps it is well that the accusation so often urged by backbiters against our faithful subject Edric should--" "Your majesty begs the question when you call that coward 'faithful.'" "Silence, Edmund," said the king, sternly, "you are hardly yet of age, yet you dare to interrupt me. I was going to say that it is a good thing the accusation should at length be plainly made, and not spoken in a corner by men who are afraid to speak out." "Lest they should get the reward of Elfhelm of Shrewsbury," added Edmund. The bishop here interposed. "Prince, remember that God has said, 'Honour thy father.'" "Has he not somewhere also said, 'Parents, provoke not your children to anger'?" "God judge between you, then," said the bishop, "but I warn you that you appear the greater transgressor." "Meanwhile," said Edric, "I feel like a man who is being put unjustly to the torture. What is the accusation against me?--let it be stated in plain words." "That just after the army disbanded in October, you visited the camp of Sweyn, and gave him to understand that the country was at his mercy, opposition being removed." "What day of the month?" "I do not know the exact day." "Perhaps it was in the Greek calends," said Edric. "I do not know when the Greek calends are, nor do I want to; my mother spent her time, I thank God, in teaching me to speak the truth, and to be true to my country, and not in teaching me outlandish gibberish." "Still," said the bishop, "it is important to learn the day." "Alfgar can perhaps inform you, but one day must have been much like another to him in the Danish camp." "His statement would need verification," said Ednoth. "He is as true and brave as any man here." "Of course, all Danes are true and brave," said Edric. "He is a Christian." "Yes; I think he became one on St. Brice's day," suggested Edric. "To save his life, no doubt," said the sheriff. Meanwhile Ethelred had changed colour, and Edric cried out: