l chambers adjoined, to which offenders were taken
after sentence had been delivered.

It was just after the chapter mass, and the fourth hour of the day.

William sat in the abbot's chair; on his right band Lanfranc
himself--for the Benedictine order was deeply interested in the
investigation about to be made. The abbot and all the elder
brethren were present, and sat on the right or northern side of the
building. Next the abbot sat Geoffrey of Coutances; amidst the
brethren was Father Kenelm.

But on the other side sat William's principal nobles and courtiers,
to whom reference has been made in former chapters--De la Pole,
Arundel, Clyfford, Fitz-Maurice, Hastings, Maltravers, Peverill,
Talbot, Harcourt, and many others--some of then grey-headed--in
arms.

Odo of Bayeux and Fitz-Osborne were there likewise, as also Robert
of Mortain and Pevensey.

A large coffer, called "the trunk," not unlike the box in which
prisoners appear in modern courts of justice, stood in the midst;
and therein, pale with illness and worn by mental distress, yet
still undaunted in the spirit, stood Wilfred of Aescendune.

Poor Wilfred! he needed all his courage, for he stood almost alone,
a mere youth, amidst many enemies. At the most there were but three
hearts present which beat with any sympathy for him.

Lanfranc had, however, possessed the king with certain general
facts, which disposed William to give the accused a patient
hearing, and when his "starkness" was not roused, William could be
just.

And so Wilfred, his face pale, his lips compressed, his hands
clasped upon the desk before him, gazed into the face of this awful
Conqueror, whose frown so few dared to meet--the very incarnation
of brute force and mental daring combined.

On his head was the crown of England, which he wore only on state
occasions, four times yearly as a rule, at certain great festivals.
One of these had just been held at Abingdon, and on this occasion,
as we see, he again assumed it. The sceptre was borne beneath by a
page who stood by his side.

William's voice first broke the silence--a stern, deep voice.

"Wilfred of Aescendune, we have chosen to hear thy defence in
person--if thou hast any defence becoming thee to make and us to
hear."

"Of what am I accused?" said the prisoner.

It was noticed that he omitted the royal title.

"Of rebellion, parricide, and sacrilege."

"I admit that I have fought against the invaders of my country, and