o the
young stranger, and then conversed in an undertone with Dunstan, the
whole dinner time; the princes themselves were awed by the presence of
their uncle and his spiritual guide.

But at last, like all other things, it was over, and with feelings of
joy the boys broke forth from the restraint. The whole afternoon was
spent in seeing the sights of London, and they all three, for Edgar
accompanied them, returned to the evening meal, fatigued in body, but in
high spirits. Compline in the royal chapel terminated the day, as mass
had begun it.

CHAPTER V. TEMPTATION.

But a few days had passed before Elfric learned the secret of Redwald's
influence over the young prince.

The household of Edred was conducted with the strictest propriety.[ix]
All rose with the lark, and the first duty was to attend
at the early mass in the royal chapel. Breakfast followed, and then the
king on ordinary days gave the whole forenoon to business of state, and
he thought it his duty to see that each member of the royal household
had some definite employment, knowing that idleness was the mother of
many evils. So the young princes had their tasks assigned them by their
tutor, as we have already seen, and the spare hours which were saved
from their studies were given to such practice in the use of the
national weapons as seemed necessary to those who might hereafter lead
armies, or to gymnastic exercises which strengthened nerve and muscle
for a time of need.

In the afternoon they might ride or walk abroad, but a strict interdict
was placed upon certain haunts where temptation might perchance be
found, and they had to return by evensong, which the king generally
attended in person when at home. Then, in winter, indoor recreations
till compline, for it was a strict rule of the king that his nephews
should not leave the palace after sundown.

He further caused their tutor, who directed their education under the
supervision of Dunstan--Father Benedict--whom we have already
introduced, to see that they properly discharged all the duties of
public and private devotion.

But he did not see, in the excess of his zeal, that he was really
destroying the prospects which were nearest his heart, and that there
can be no more fatal mistake than to compel the performance of religious
duties which exceed the measure of the youthful capacity or endurance.

With Edgar, who was naturally pious, the system produced no evil result;
but with Edwy