to set at naught a brave deed because nothing arose from it! After
his father's cowardice, such energy and dauntlessness alone--"

"Dauntlessness!" the old cniht snorted again. "It is the dauntlessness
of the man in Father Ingulph's story, who was so much wiser than his
advisers that he must try to drive the sun a new way, till it came so
nigh as it nighest may to setting the world afire." So hot was his
scorn that he was obliged to cool it in his ale, coming to the
surface slightly mollified. "However, Lord Sebert, you have cast your
colt's-teeth, and I have no desire to tread upon the toes of your
dignity. If I have been over-free, excuse it in your father's old
servant and comrade who has guarded and guided you since--since you have
had teeth to cast."

The young man laughed good-humoredly as he straightened himself for
action. "Too often has my dignity bent under your rod, Morcard, to
hold itself very stiff against you now. Never fear; I will be an owl of
discretion. Give you favorable dreams over your horns!" He picked up
his cloak and was turning to depart, when one of the warriors flung up a
hand.

"Soft, my lord. Yonder comes Wikel making strange signs to you." All
heads but Randalin's turned in the direction he was looking. She was
still too lethargic for curiosity; and she found a kind of dreamy
content in lying with her eyes upon the Etheling's handsome face. Though
its prevailing characteristic was the easy amiability of one who has
known little of opposition or dislike, there was no lack of steel in the
blue eyes or of iron in the square chin; now and then a spark betrayed
them, thrilling pleasantly through her drowsiness.

Presently, however, between her and the comely apparition there
intervened the brawny figure of a yeoman-soldier. He said breathlessly,
"Chief--before you go to the King--be it known to you that those
horse-feet you heard--belong to the mounts of Edric of Mercia and his
men--and he is with King Edmund now!"

The three stolid old warriors got to their feet with curses. The
Etheling bent forward to gaze incredulously into the man's face.

"Edric of Mercia? With the King? Why do you think so?"

"I was a little way beyond the King's fire, watching a fellow who was
showing how he could jump over the flames, when I saw the Gainer ride
past; and I followed him, as near as the guards would permit--near
enough to see that the King received him--let him settle it with Saint
Cuthbert!"