"You have, my dear boy," replied his aunt, "learnt that discontent may be cured by occupation: had you observed your mother, you would have seen by her constant glances at her watch, that she has long expected your father. I now hear his step in the hall; run and kiss him, and then go with nurse, as you have already kept her waiting some time." Before this injunction was obeyed, they solicited a promise that they might come down the next evening at the same time, and play at the same game. This was readily granted, and they ran up stairs much happier than they had come down. 1. Invasion of Britain by Julius Caesar. B.C. 55. 2. Caractacus led prisoner through Rome. A.D. 43. 3. Boadicea. A.D. 43. 4. St. Augustine preaching to Ethelbert. A.D. 600. 5. Alfred in the Danish camp. A.D. 880. CHAPTER II. "Now mama," "Now auntie," cried half a dozen little voices at once, as Mrs. Macdonald and her sister closed their books, and drew their chairs close to the fire, on the following evening. "One moment to collect my thoughts, dear children," said Mrs. Macdonald, stirring the fire, and taking one of her shivering little nieces on her lap, whilst Alfred secured his aunt's knee, seeing that his accustomed place was occupied. "The scene I shall describe to-night is laid in a hall, where tables are spread for a feast: the preparations are certainly not so costly as some we might see now-a-days; for instead of carpets, rushes are laid on the floor; the walls appear to be made of wood, interlaced with osiers; the windows are filled up, some with cloth, and others with lattice work, instead of glass; there are no grates or fire-places; nevertheless the table is covered with clean white linen, and each person has a separate drinking horn, a mess of pottage, a wooden knife and spoon; whilst on the wall are hung two or three wooden harps. The entertainment seems to have been interrupted by the entrance of a wild looking man, with whom he who appears to be a king is engaged in close combat. The king holds the robber by the hair of his head; but the latter contrives to plunge a dagger into the heart of his youthful opponent." There was a long pause after Mrs. Macdonald had ceased speaking, and many were the whisperings between the young people. "Give it up," cried Alfred, tired of the silence. "It was a Saxon king, was it not, aunt?" asked Edward, a pale, quiet boy, the eldest of the group. "Quite right, my dear; and as you have guessed so soon, perhaps you will try and puzzle me in your turn." Edward blushed, and after a few minutes' hesitation, described the following picture:-- "A king, surrounded by some of his officers, is seated in a large room; his dress and the furniture of the apartment show more cleanliness than luxury; brave, rough men are on bended knee before him; whilst their attendants are bringing in wolves' heads, and laying them at the feet of the king."