“I will not dispute my title with thee, noble Thane,” said Richard, calmly; “but I will bid thee look around thee, and see where thou wilt find another to be put into the scale against it.”

“And hast thou wandered hither, Prince, to tell me so?” said Cedric⁠—“To upbraid me with the ruin of my race, ere the grave has closed o’er the last scion of Saxon royalty?”⁠—His countenance darkened as he spoke.⁠—“It was boldly⁠—it was rashly done!”

“Not so, by the holy rood!” replied the King; “it was done in the frank confidence which one brave man may repose in another, without a shadow of danger.”

“Thou sayest well, Sir King⁠—for King I own thou art, and wilt be, despite of my feeble opposition.⁠—I dare not take the only mode to prevent it, though thou hast placed the strong temptation within my reach!”