“It is very beautiful, and the stars are very bright tonight; but where are we going?”
“You will soon find out.”
Finding his royal companion so uncommunicative, Elfric remained silent, trusting that a few minutes would unravel the mystery.
But an hour had passed, during which the boat steadily progressed up stream, before the watermen pulled in for the shore, and a dark building loomed before them in dim shadow.
“Here is the place,” said Edwy. “Be ready, my men, to take us back about midnight, or a little later;” and he threw some pieces of money amongst them.
Passing through a large garden, they arrived at a porch before a stout door garnished with knobs of iron, which might bid defiance to thief or burglar.
“Whose house is this?” asked Elfric.
“Wait; you shall soon see.”
The loud knocking Edwy made at the door soon brought some domestics, who, opening a small wicket, discovered the identity of their principal visitor, and immediately threw open the door.
“Thanks,” said Edwy; “we were almost frozen.”