on to defend ourselves with. The
kinsman of Ivar a second time lost his inheritance, and the opportunity
passed--forever. For now it is time to remember that this is not war,
but peace; and in times of peace it is not allowed to take a man's land
from him unless he has broken the law or offended honor, which no one
can say this Englishman has done. What concerns war-time is a thing
by itself; as ruler over laws and land-rights, I cannot give one man's
lands to another, though the one be a man I care little for, and the
other is my foster-brother. Go back therefore, unhindered, Lord of
Ivarsdale, and live in peace henceforth. I do not think it probable that
I shall ever call you to my friendship, but when the time comes that
there is need of a brave and honest man to serve the English people in
serving me, I shall send for you. Beware you that you do not neglect
the summons of one whom you have acknowledged to be your rightful King!
Orvar, I want you to restore to him his weapon and see him on his way in
safety. Your life shall answer for any harm that comes to him."

With one hand, he struck down the murmur that was rising; with the other
he made an urgent gesture of haste, which Orvar seemed to understand.
Even while he was returning to the Lord of Ivarsdale his sword, he
seized him by the arm and hurried him down the room, the Etheling
walking like a man in a dream.

From the dusk of the rafters, the girl who loved him stretched out her
hands to him in tender fare-well, but there was no more of anguish in
the gesture. Gazing after him, the tears rose slowly to her eyes and
rolled slowly down her cheeks, but on her mouth was a little smile whose
wondering joy mounted to exaltation.

No need was there for her to hide either tear or smile, for no one
of the women about her was so much as conscious of her existence. The
murmur below was growing, despite the King's restraining hand; and now,
crashing through it in hideous discord, came a burst of jeering laughter
from the Jotun. What words he also spoke they could not catch, but they
heard the Danish cries sink and die, aghast, and they saw a score of
English thanes spring upon him and drag him backwards. Above the noise
of their scuffling, the King's voice sounded stern and cold.

"While I act as law-man in my judgment hall, I will hear no disputing
of my judgments. Whoso comes to me in my private chamber, as friend
to friend, may tell his mind; but now I speak as King