"You must admit them, or they will batter the door down. Edwy, Elfric!
here, hide yourselves behind that curtain, it veils a deep recess."
They had scarcely concealed themselves when Dunstan entered, attended by
a guard of the royal hus-carles.
"What means this insolence?" said Ethelgiva.
"No insolence is intended, royal lady, nor could be offered to the widow
of the Etheling, by me," replied Dunstan, "but I seek to discharge a
sacred trust committed to me. Where are my pupils, the Prince Edwy and
his companion?"
"In their beds, at the palace, I should suppose."
"Nay, be not so perfidious; they are here, lady, and probably within
hearing; they must come forth, or I must order the guard to search the
house, which I should regret."
"By whose authority?"
"By that of the king, whose signet is on my hand."
"They are not here; they left half-an-hour ago."
"Pardon me, madam, if I observe that we have watched the house for an hour.
"Had not this scene better terminate?" he added, with icy coldness.
At this moment a favourite dog, which Edwy had often petted, and which
had entered with the guard, found him out behind the curtain, and in its
vociferous joy betrayed the whole secret.
Confusion or smiles sat on every face save that of the imperturbable
Dunstan.
"Your dog, madam, is more truthful than its mistress," he said, bluntly
yet quietly; and then, advancing to the recess, he drew aside the
curtain and gazed upon the discovered couple.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79