ar in
mind such times as these, when grief happens to a man oftener than joy.
Methinks your lily-fair lady would swoon at the sight of your blood; and
tears would be the best answer you would get, should you seek to draw
comfort out of her."

White as a star at dawn, the page's face was raised while his wide eyes
hung on his master's; and from the little reed wound between his brown
fingers, the juice began to ooze slowly as though some silent force were
crushing the life out of its green heart.

But the young noble laughed with gay scorn: "Tears would be in all
respects a better answer than I should deserve, should I whimper
faint-hearted words into a maiden's ear. What folly-fit do you speak in,
fellow? What! Do you think I would wed another comrade like yourself, or
a playfellow like this youngster?" Ever so gently his foot touched the
boyish form on the step. "It is something quite different from either of
you that is my desire; something that is as much higher as the stars are
above these candles."

Disputing and agreeing, the clamor rose anew, and the Etheling turned
to his favorite with a jest. But the page was no longer in his place. He
had risen to his feet and was standing with his head flung back like one
in pain, both hands up tearing the tunic away from his throat. Sebert
bent toward him with a question on his lips.

He forgot the query before he could speak it, however, for at that
moment there was a sound of hurried steps on the stone stairs, and one
of the armed watchmen from the top of the Tower burst into the room.

"Lord," he gasped, "some one is upon us! We thought first it was naught
but the noise of the wind--then Elward saw a light. We swear they came
not over the bridge, yet--"

His words were cut short by a horn-blast from the darkness, loud and
clear above the whistling wind. Though only one woman screamed out
Edmund's name, it is probable that the same thought was in every mind.
Jests and laughter died on the lips that bore them, and with one accord
the men turned in their seats to watch their master.

His face had sobered as he listened; before the first echo had died away
he had spoken swiftly to the fellow at his side. "Celric, get you down
to the guard at the gate and inquire into the meaning of that."

When the henchman had left, he began a sharp questioning of the
sentinel, and the noise did not begin again. Whispering, the women drew
together like herded sheep; and the men left