"
"Do you scorn the company of your thrall in death?"
"God forbid!
"Oswy, you have given your life for us; we die in company. God protect
my poor mother, my poor childless mother! She will be alone!"
"You shall die together as you desire."
He addressed a few words in an unknown tongue to his men; his face was
now pale as death, his lips compressed as of one who has taken a
desperate resolution.
"Retire to your brother's chamber again. You will not compel me to use
force?"
They retired up the stairs; Ragnar followed, two or three of his men at
a respectful distance from him.
They re-entered the chamber; Ragnar followed and stood before them.
"I will grant you all that is in my power; you shall all die together,
and you may tend your brother to the last."
"What shall be the manner of our death?" asked Alfred, who was very
calm, fearfully calm.
"You will soon discover; my hand shall not be upon you, or red with your
blood. Believe me, I am, like you, the victim of stern necessity,
although I am the avenger, you the victims."
"You cannot thus deceive yourself, or shake off the guilt of murder; our
father's blood is upon you. You will answer for this, for him and for
us, at the judgment seat."
"I am willing to do so, if there be a judgment seat whereat to answer. I
had a father, too, who was condemned to a lingering death, by thirst,
hunger, and madness; I witnessed his agonies; I swore to avenge them.
Pages:
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255