and cheering; the whole body of the invaders were evidently feasting and
revelling with that excess, of which in their leisure moments they were
so capable.

"It is well!" said Alfred; and they walked round the exterior of the
moat, marking the brightly lighted hall and the unguarded look of the
place; yet not wholly unguarded, for they saw the figure of a man
outlined against a bright patch of sky, pacing the leaded roof,
evidently on guard.

And now they had reached that portion of their circuit which led them
opposite the chamber window of the lamented Ella, and Alfred gazed sadly
upon it, when both he and Oswy started as they heard cries and moans,
and sometimes articulate words, proceeding therefrom.

They listened eagerly, and caught the name "Dunstan," as if uttered in
vehement fear, then the cry. "Water! I burn!" and cry after cry, as if
from one in delirium.

"It is Elfric! it is Elfric!" said Alfred.

"It is my young lord's voice," said the thrall; "he is in a fever from
his wound."

"What can we do?" and Alfred walked impatiently to and fro; at last he
stopped.

"Oswy! if it costs me my life I will enter the castle!"

"It shall cost my life too, then. I will live and die with my lord!"