"

The cunning rogue obeyed in a twinkling. He seized the host's chair with
one hand, lifting its occupant without difficulty from the ground. With
the other he laid hold on him by the throat, and would certainly have
strangled him but for the king.

The assault was so sudden and unexpected that the domestics stood still
a moment, as though rendered powerless by surprise.

The next instant they all fled pell-mell out of the hall, every one
struggling to be foremost, apprehending that the great personification
of all evil was there, bodily, behind them, and in the very act of
flying off with their master.

In vain Joan shouted after the cowardly villains; her threats but
increased their speed.

"Fly, King Henry," cried the dwarf, in a voice that sounded like the
roar of some infuriated beast; "the rascal curs are barking; the stag is
in the net. This traitor"--Here he became at a loss for words; but his
gesticulations were more vehement. "Fly!" at length he shouted, in a
louder voice than before; "I've seen sword and armour glittering in the
forest."

But the king was irresolute, as much amazed as any of the rest. He saw
the imminent danger of his host, whose face was blackening above the
grip of this fierce antagonist, and he cried out--

"Leave go, Madoc; let the curs bark, we fear them not in this good
house. Let go, I command thee."

With a look of pity and of scorn the savage loosened his hold, saying--

"Thou be'st not king now; but Henry with the beads and breviary; and
here come thy tormentors."

A loud whistle rang through the hall, and in burst a band of armed men,
led on by Sir Thomas Talbot of Bashall, and his oldest son of the same
name, together with Sir James Harrington.

Tempest, recovered from his gripe, made a furious dart at the king; but
ere he had accomplished his purpose, Edmund Talbot rushed between, at
the peril of his life, opening a way for the terrified monarch through
the band that had nearly surrounded him.

The king fled through the passage made by his deliverer; and the dwarf,
keeping his enemies at bay, heroically and effectually covered his
retreat.

"Edmund Talbot, art thou traitor to thy kin?" said Sir Thomas, from the
crowd. "Let me pass; 'tis thy father commands thee. 'Tis not thy king,
he is a coward and a usurper."

"I care not," said the retreating and faithful Edmund. "My arm shall not
compass with traitors. Cowards attack unarmed men at their meals."

"Then ta