Men stood mute, as we have said, then murmurs of indignation at the
slight arose, and all looked at Dunstan.

He beckoned to Cynesige of Lichfield, who came to his side.

"We must bring this thoughtless boy back," he said, "or great harm will
be done."

"But how?"

"By persuasion, if possible. Follow me."

The two prelates entered the interior of the palace, and sought the
king's private chamber.

As they drew near they heard the sound of merry laughter, and each of
them frowned as men might do who were little accustomed to condone the
weakness of human flesh. Entering the chamber very unceremoniously, they
paused, as if aghast, when they beheld the king in the company of
Elgiva, his royal diadem cast upon the ground.

He started in surprise, and for a moment in fear; then, remembering who
he was, he exclaimed, angrily--"How dare you, sir monk, intrude upon
the privacy of your king, unbidden?"

"We do so as the ambassadors of the King of kings."

It is out of our power to describe the scene which followed, the fiery
words of Edwy, the stern yet quiet rejoinders of the churchmen, the