less unruly than formerly, for, as I have accepted you for my chief,
so am I willing to render you obedience in any manner soever you think
right to demand it. This I am ready to swear to."

Canute's fist struck his chair-arm lightly. "Nothing more to my mind
has occurred for a long time, and I welcome it! Better will both of us
succeed if we declare openly that friendship between us must always be
rather shallow. I love not men of your nature, neither is it possible
for me to forget what you have cost me. Hatred would come much easier to
me,--and I will not deny that you will feel it if ever you give me fair
cause for anger." For an instant an edge of his Viking savagery made
itself felt through his voice; then faded as quickly into cold courtesy.
"As to this which I now offer you, however, I think few are proud enough
to find fault about it, for I have called you hither to be a Marshal
of the kingdom and to have the rule over my Guards. Men from many lands
will be among them, and it is a great necessity that I have at their
head a man I can trust, while it is also pleasing to the English that
that man be an Englishman. Concerning the laws which I shall make to
govern them, Eric Jarl will tell you later."

"Marshal!" That then was what the mutter in the ante-room had meant.
Sebert would not have been young and a soldier if he had not felt keen
delight tingle through every nerve. Indeed, his pleasure was so great
that he dared say little in acknowledgment, lest it betray him into too
great cordiality toward this stern young ruler who, though in reality
a year younger than he, seemed to have become many years his senior.
He said shortly, "If I betray your trust, King Canute, let me have
no favor! Is it your intention to have me make ready now against this
incursion of the Normans, of which men are--"

He did not finish his question, for the King raised his hand
impatiently.

"It is not likely that swords will have any part in that matter,
Lord Marshal. There is another task in store for you than to fight
Normans,--and it may be that you will think it beneath your rank, for
instead of the State, it concerns me and my life, which someone has
tried to take. Yet I expect you will see that my death would be little
gainful to England." A second curt gesture cut short Sebert's rather
embarrassed protest. "Here are no fine words needed. Listen to the
manner in which the deed was committed. Shortly before the end of the
wint