He was pale, too, if that sallow colour, which
olive-like complexions like his assume when wrought upon, can be
called pale. He cast upon Wilfred one glance of intense hatred, and
then, looking down respectfully, awaited the words of the
Conqueror.
"Etienne de Malville, dost thou appear as the accuser of this
prisoner?"
"I do."
"Take thine oath, then, upon the Holy Gospels, only to speak the
truth; my Lord Archbishop will administer it."
Lanfranc administered the oath, much as it is done in courts of
justice nowadays, but with peculiar solemnity of manner.
Etienne repeated the words very solemnly and distinctly. No one
doubted, or could doubt, his sincerity.
"Of what crimes dost thou accuse the prisoner?"
"Parricide, in that he hath compassed the death of his adoptive
father; sacrilege, in that he burnt the priory of St. Wilfred with
all the monks therein, and later the Priory of St. Denys, from
which the inmates had happily escaped, and in support of this
accusation I am ready to wager my body in the lists, if the King so
allow."
"We do not risk thy safety against one who is already proved guilty
of rebellion, and who is not of knightly rank like thyself."
(Etienne had duly received knighthood after the taking of the Camp
of Refuge.
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