"Have we not forgotten in whose presence we are? The king, who was quite ignorant of the mistaken zeal which misinterpreted his wishes that day, cannot bear to be reminded of it. He is all too merciful and gentle for such days as ours." "I suppose he put on mourning for Elfhelm," whispered Edmund in the bishop's ear. "Forget not that he is your father." "We are wasting time," said the king. "Edric, what is your answer to this accusation?" "That when the army disbanded I went on pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Joseph at Glastonbury, and can produce, in the time requisite for a messenger to go and return, an attestation to that effect. Here," he said, putting his hand to his bosom, and drawing out a reliquary, "is a holy thorn plucked from St. Joseph's tree." "Art thou not ashamed, my son, to have brought such a charge against the venerator of the Saints, one of the few in whom faith yet lives?" "No, for I do not believe he was ever there at all." "Witness the holy thorn." "Thorns may be plucked in bushels round Dorchester or any other place." "It is a question of pure testimony," said the bishop. "It is," added the sheriff and the reeve. "Then, may I produce my witness?" said Edmund. "Certainly," said the king. "By all means," added Edric. The bishop called an attendant, and ordered him to fetch Alfgar. "Before he enters I must remind you all," said Edric, "that the word of a Dane is to be opposed to that of a Christian." "I have already said that Alfgar is a Christian." But Edric had already, by his adroit suggestion about St. Brice's day, predisposed the company to doubt the genuineness of Alfgar's conversion. A long pause succeeded, which no one seemed to care to break. Ethelred was anxious for his favourite; the traitor himself was studying how to meet the accusation; the Prince was furious, and was striving in vain to repress his surging passions, the others were perplexed. The messenger returned after a time to say that Alfgar had left the palace. "Left the palace!" said Edmund. "About half-an-hour since." "There is some vile treason here," said Edmund. "Treason! on whose part?" said Edric. "Thine, villain." "I am glad you think so, for you give me an opportunity of demonstrating to the court how unreasonable your hatred makes you, and how unjust. I have not left the king's presence since your first appearance." "It is true," said Ethelred. Edmund was completely baffled. "It appears to me," said the king, "that he fears the discovery of his villainy, and has taken himself off. I will offer a fitting reward to the man who shall produce him; meanwhile, it is useless to continue this scene." "Wait at least a few minutes," said Edmund, and went forth himself. Vainly he sought through all the courts of the palace--once he thought Alfgar, whose fidelity he never suffered himself to doubt, might be in the chapel, and went there in vain.