The Lady Rowena was next separated from her train, and conducted, with

courtesy, indeed, but still without consulting her inclination, to

a distant apartment. The same alarming distinction was conferred on

Rebecca, in spite of her father's entreaties, who offered even money,

in this extremity of distress, that she might be permitted to abide with

him. "Base unbeliever," answered one of his guards, "when thou hast seen

thy lair, thou wilt not wish thy daughter to partake it." And, without

farther discussion, the old Jew was forcibly dragged off in a different

direction from the other prisoners. The domestics, after being carefully

searched and disarmed, were confined in another part of the castle;

and Rowena was refused even the comfort she might have derived from the

attendance of her handmaiden Elgitha.

The apartment in which the Saxon chiefs were confined, for to them

we turn our first attention, although at present used as a sort of

guard-room, had formerly been the great hall of the castle. It was now

abandoned to meaner purposes, because the present lord, among other

additions to the convenience, security, and beauty of his baronial

residence, had erected a new and noble hall, whose vaulted roof was

supported by lighter and more elegant pillars, and fitted up with that

higher degree of ornament, which the Normans had already introduced into

architecture.

Cedric paced the apartment, filled with indignant reflections on the

past and on the present, while the apathy of his companion served,

instead of patience and philosophy, to defend him against every thing

save the inconvenience of the present moment; and so little did he feel

even this last, that he was only from time to time roused to a reply by

Cedric's animated and impassioned appeal to him.

"Yes," said Cedric, half speaking to himself, and half addressing

himself to Athelstane, "it was in this very hall that my father feasted

with Torquil Wolfganger, when he entertained the valiant and unfortunate

Harold, then advancing against the Norwegians, who had united themselves

to the rebel Tosti. It was in this hall that Harold returned the

magnanimous answer to the ambassador of his rebel brother. Oft have

I heard my father kindle as he told the tale. The envoy of Tosti was

admitted, when this ample room could scarce contain the crowd of

noble Saxon leaders, who were quaffing the blood-red wine around their

monarch."

"I hope," said Athelstane, somewhat moved by this part of his friend's

discourse, "they will not forget to send us some wine and refactions at

noon--we had scarce a breathing-space allowed to break our fast, and

I never have the benefit of my food when I eat immediately after

dismounting from horseback, though the leeches recommend that practice."




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