"
"I can tell you," said Redwald; "the banishment of the holy fox,
Dunstan, and very shame prevents my adding that--"
"No more," said Edwy; "I can guess the rest."
He wished to spare Elgiva.
He walked up and down the hall several times. His festive air had gone.
"And on my wedding day, too," he said. "Redwald, you knew this."
"Yes, my lord, but I wished to spare my king upon his wedding day, still
I have not spared myself. The necessary steps are taken, your immediate
vassals are summoned, and my own men are ready to march; we will sweep
these rebels off the field."
"Elfric," said the king, "you must be my right hand in the field: you
will be ready to invade your native Mercia tomorrow. Think you your own
friends are firm?"
"My father, although he has disowned me, would never disown his lawful
king; the duty and love he bore to your murdered father would forbid."
"Well, Redwald, have you known this many hours?"
"I heard it at the frontier town of Mercia, Reading, last night, and
took all my measures immediately."
"Then, can we really depend upon Wessex?"
"I treat so indeed, my lord, else we should be in a very bad way indeed."
"Well, we must rest now. Elgiva, darling, this is a cold termination to
our first anniversary, but your husband's love shall ever protect you
until he be cold in death.
"Goodnight, Elfric, be ready for the morrow.
"Goodnight, Redwald, trustiest warrior who ever served grateful lord.
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