"It is I, Elfric!--I, your brother Alfred!"
Elfric stared vacantly, then fell back on the pillow: a moment only
passed, and then it was evident that an interval of silence had begun,
during which the patient only moaned. The noise from those who were
feasting in the hall beneath, which communicated with the gallery by a
large staircase, was loud and boisterous as ever.
A step was heard approaching.
Alfred took Oswy by the arm, and they both retired behind the tapestry,
which concealed a small recess, where garments were usually suspended.
The heavy step entered the room, and its owner was evidently standing
beside the bed gazing upon the couch. There he remained stationary for
some minutes, and again left the room. It was not till the last sound
had died away that Alfred and Oswy ventured to leave their concealment.
The silence still continued, save that it was sometimes broken by the
patient's moans.
"Take and wrap these clothes round him; we must preserve him from the
night air;" and they wrapped the blankets around him; then Oswy, who was
very strongly built, took the light frame of Elfric in his arms, and
they left the room.
One moment of dread suspense--the passage was clear--a minute more
would have placed them in safety, when the paroxysm returned upon the
unfortunate Elfric.
"Help, Edwy! Redwald, help! Dunstan has seized me, and is bearing me to
the fire! I burn! help, I burn!"
Alfred groaned in his agony; the shrieking voice had been uttered just
as they passed the staircase leading down to the hall.
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