Morcard’s throat emitted a sound that might have been a chuckle or might have been a growl. “I will tell you plainly for why; it is his dauntlessness. He is going to pit his green wit against Edric’s, that has made two kings as wax between his fingers! And he has begun by letting the wolf into the fold.” It appeared that the Etheling had recovered from his surprise, for now he said steadily, “I will not believe it. Until their oaths have been spoken and their hands have clasped and my own eyes have witnessed it, I will not believe it of him.” Motioning them from his path, he was starting forward a second time, when the old cniht laid a hand lightly upon his shoulder. “Hear me, Lord Sebert! If then,—to weigh all perils like a soldier,—if then, you do witness it with your own eyes?” The blue gave out a flash of smitten steel. Morcard answered as to words: “You will be one against many, lord.” “You cannot mean that the Witan will comply with him!” the Etheling cried. “How is it possible that they should do otherwise? The odal-born men could not prevent it when Ethelred took Alfric back. And to-night, few but thanes have resorted thither—men whom the Redeless took from ploughing his fields to gild with nobility. Is it likely that they will oppose the hand that can strip off their gilding?” It appeared that the young man could find no answer to that, for he made none. “At least once, my lord, Ethelred’s wilfulness has shown in his son, when he set aside the King’s command to take possession of Sigeferth’s widow and her estates. And I think it was Ethelred’s temper that moved him to spend an energy, much better directed against the Pagans, in laying waste two of his own shires. Remember what happened when your father raised himself against Ethelred.” Restive under the restraining hand, the young noble faced him desperately. “Morcard, in God’s name, what would you have me do? I will not bend to it, nor would you wish me to. Or sooner or later—” “Let it be later, lord. After you have had time to marshal your wits, and when it is daylight, and you have your men at your back.” After a while, the Etheling yielded and turned aside. “Let it be as you have said—though I cannot believe yet that it will happen.” Coming back where a fallen tree made a mossy seat, he dropped down upon it and sat staring at the ground in frowning abstraction.