"
The abbot coloured.
"Who has dared to do this impiety?" he thundered.
"The English rebels and outlaws, who have long lain hidden in the
woods, led by the son of the rebel lord who fell at Senlac."
"The brethren--are they safe?"
"They are on their journey hither; the saints have protected
them--no thanks to the English."
"And how dared the stripling thou namest to do such deeds; where
was thy father, the Baron?"
"He was foully slain in an ambush:" and Etienne, who strove to keep
cool, could not restrain a strange quivering of the lips.
"Come, tell me all, my son; God comfort thee."
Etienne began his tale, and the reader will easily guess that
Wilfred's character fared very badly at his hands--that without any
wilful falsehood, of which indeed this proud young Norman was
incapable, so distorted a version of the facts known to our readers
was presented, that the abbot shuddered at the daring bloodthirstiness
and impiety of one so young as this English lad.
"It is enough--thou shalt have audience with the king at once. I
can obtain it for thee; God's justice shall not ever sleep, and
William is His chosen instrument. Hark!"
The compline bell began to ring.
"William attends the service tonight. I will crave an audience for
thee; meanwhile, compose thy thoughts for God's holy house.
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