第87章

HavingthusformallyintroducedthegueststothedifferentchambersinwhichtheobsequiesofAthelstanewerecelebratedunderdifferentforms，Cedricconductedthemintoasmallroom，destined，asheinformedthem，fortheexclusiveaccomodationofhonourableguests，whosemoreslightconnexionwiththedeceasedmightrenderthemunwillingtojointhosewhowereimmediatelyeffectedbytheunhappyevent。Heassuredthemofeveryaccommodation，andwasabouttowithdrawwhentheBlackKnighttookhishand。

``Icravetoremindyou，nobleThane，’’hesaid，thatwhenwelastparted，youpromised，fortheserviceIhadthefortunetorenderyou，tograntmeaboon。’’

``Itisgrantederenamed，nobleKnight，’’saidCedric；``yet，atthissadmoment——’’

``Ofthatalso，’’saidtheKing，``Ihavebethoughtme——butmytimeisbrief——neitherdoesitseemtomeunfit，that，whenclosingthegraveonthenobleAthelstane，weshoulddepositthereincertainprejudicesandhastyopinions。’’

``SirKnightoftheFetterlock，’’saidCedric，colouring，andinterruptingtheKinginhisturn，``Itrustyourboonregardsyourselfandnoother；

forinthatwhichconcernsthehonourofmyhouse，itisscarcefittingthatastrangershouldmingle。’’

``NordoIwishtomingle，’’saidtheKing，mildly，``unlessinsofarasyouwilladmitmetohaveaninterest。AsyetyouhaveknownmebutastheBlackKnightoftheFetterlock——KnowmenowasRichardPlantagenet。’’

``RichardofAnjou！’’exclaimedCedric，steppingbackwardwiththeutmostastonishment。

``No，nobleCedric——RichardofEngland！——

whosedeepestinterest——whosedeepestwish，istoseehersonsunitedwitheachother——And，hownow，worthyThane！hastthounokneeforthyprince?’’

``ToNormanblood，’’saidCedric，``ithathneverbended。’’

``Reservethinehomagethen，’’saidtheMonarch，``untilIshallprovemyrighttoitbymyequalprotectionofNormansandEnglish。’’

``Prince，’’answeredCedric，``Ihaveeverdonejusticetothybraveryandthyworth——NoramI

ignorantofthyclaimtothecrownthroughthydescentfromMatilda，niecetoEdgarAtheling，anddaughtertoMalcolmofScotland。ButMatilda，thoughoftheroyalSaxonblood，wasnottheheirtothemonarchy。’’

``Iwillnotdisputemytitlewiththee，nobleThane，’’saidRichard，calmly；``butIwillbidtheelookaroundthee，andseewherethouwiltfindanothertobeputintothescaleagainstit。’’

``Andhastthouwanderedhither，Prince，totellmeso?’’saidCedric——``Toupbraidmewiththeruinofmyrace，erethegravehasclosedo’erthelastscionofSaxonroyalty?’’——Hiscountenancedarkenedashespoke——``Itwasboldly——itwasrashlydone！’’

``Notso，bytheholyrood！’’repliedtheKing；

``itwasdoneinthefrankconfidencewhichonebravemanmayreposeinanother，withoutashadowofdanger。’’

``Thousayestwell，SirKing——forKingIownthouart，andwiltbe，despiteofmyfeebleopposition——

Idarenottaketheonlymodetopreventit，thoughthouhastplacedthestrongtemptationwithinmyreach！’’

``Andnowtomyboon，’’saidtheKing，``whichIasknotwithonejotthelossconfidence，thatthouhastrefusedtoacknowledgemylawfulsovereignty。

Irequireofthee，asamanofthyword，onpainofbeingheldfaithless，man-sworn，and_nidering_，*

*Infamous。

toforgiveandreceivetothypaternalaffectionthegoodknight，WilfredofIvanhoe。InthisreconciliationthouwiltownIhaveaninterest——

thehappinessofmyfriend，andthequellingofdissensionamongmyfaithfulpeople。’’

``AndthisisWilfred！’’saidCe