CHAPTER XXIII. "GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY."
A dead silence followed the reading of the dying confession of Guy,
son of Roger.
The mighty Conqueror looked around, as if he would read men's
hearts.
Etienne de Malville was flushed, and seemed ready to sink into the
earth for shame, as though he himself were responsible for the
guilt of his father.
Wilfred of Aescendune, on the other hand, looked like one whose
innocence was vindicated; there was an expression of joy on his
face--joy, however, so tempered by other feelings, that it could
not be called exultation.
"It is a forgery--a vile and shameful forgery," cried Etienne.
"Thou didst thyself recognise the mark," said the king sternly. "We
pardon thine excitement, but do not forget the presence of thine
elders."
"Can I sit thus tamely, and hear my dead father accused of the
vilest crimes?"
"Justice shall be done his memory--justice, neither more nor less,"
said the Conqueror sternly.
"I claim, then, my privilege to meet the accuser in knightly
combat."
"The accuser is dead. Wilt thou go to purgatory to meet him? for we
trust his penitence has saved him from going farther and faring
worse. Keep silence, and do not further interrupt the course of
justice.
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