"Elfric," he said, "am I a king? or did I dream I was crowned today?"

"You certainly were."

"And yet these insolent monks have dared to force me from the company of
Elgiva to return to that sottish feast, and what is worse, I find they
have dared to send her and her mother home under an escort, so that I
cannot even apologise to them. As I live, if I am a king I will have
revenge."

"I trust so, indeed," said Elfric, "they deserve death."

"I would it were in my power to inflict it; but this accursed monk--I
go mad when I mention his name--is all too powerful. I believe Satan
helps him."

"Still there may be ways, if you only wait till you can look around you."

"There may indeed."

"Only have patience; all will be in your hands some day."

"And if it be in my power I will restore the worship of Woden and Thor,
and burn every monk's nest in the land."

"They were at least the gods of warriors."

"Elfric, you will stand by me, will you not?"