The chamber occupied by the king was a long roomy place, containing a single bedstead of carved wood, surmounted by the usual distinctive canopy, from which tapestried hangings depended, and upon which scriptural subjects were woven; the furniture of the room partook of the usual meagreness of the times.  The entrance was through a small antechamber, wherein, on a humbler bedstead, Alfgar slept.  Both rooms were hung with tapestry, which concealed rough walls, such as a builder would blush to own as his handiwork in these luxurious days.

Before retiring to rest, Edmund turned with much affection to his attendant.

“Alfgar, I have promised to forgive our enemy.”

“Edric Streorn?”

Alfgar added no more.

“Couldst thou forgive him?”

“I would try.”

“His hand is red with blood.  Think of Sigeferth, of Morcar, of Elfhelm, nay, of a hundred others; then think not how he has plotted against my life, but how he made my own father hate and disown me; while he, the pampered favourite, swayed all the councils and betrayed the land.  O Alfgar! couldst thou forgive him?”

“He plotted against my life and my honour, too,” said Alfgar, “and strove to deprive me of both; yet I am too happy now to harbour revenge.”

“Well, I meet him at St. Frideswide’s tomorrow, and we shall be formally reconciled in the presence of the bishop and his clergy, wherewith I trust he will be content, and not trouble me too often with his presence.”

“Where is he staying now?”

“I hardly know; but after the reconciliation I must admit him as my guest, for my sister is with him, if he chooses to stay; but I hope that will not be the case.”

“His ill-omened presence would cast a gloom upon St. Andrew’s day.”

“It would indeed; it shall be avoided if possible.  And now let us commend ourselves to the Lord, who died that we might be forgiven.  ’Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us.’”

And they slept.

On the morrow before the altar of St. Frideswide, the king and Edric had their places in the choir.

One very touching ceremony, handed down from early times, was still observed in England—­the “kiss of peace,” occurring at some period before the close of the canon of the mass, when all the members of the cathedral chapter, or of the choir, as the case might be, solemnly saluted each other.

And for this reason Edmund and Edric had been placed next each other.  So when this most solemn moment arrived, they looked each other full in the face, and gave and received the sign of Christian brotherhood.

After this they both communicated.

When the holy rite was ended, Edmund invited Edric and Elgitha to become his guests.

Edric knew the old palace well.  He had occupied it one well-remembered season, during which, in that very banqueting hall where we have introduced our readers, Sigeferth and Morcar, the earls of the seven burghs, were treacherously murdered at the banquet after Edric had previously made them heavy with wine.