“Maiden, no longer can we listen to thee. Receive the doom as thou knowest it to be,” commanded the gerefa.
But the ealdorman cried, “Brother, are we not to administer justice? While still there is a doubt, suffer the girl to benefit by it. Let her declare cause why Ælfric should wish to wreak vengeance upon her.”
“Why should we listen?” returned the reeve, impatiently. “Hath she not been given a fair trial? One artifice—that of the woman—hath failed. Shall we try another? Marry, no!”
“Yet, still let us listen,” requested the ealdorman. “Maiden,” without waiting for the assent of the reeve he turned to Egwina, “thou hast not before seen Ælfric the freed-man. Why, then, should this be his vengeance upon thee?”
“Oh, my lord, but I have seen him before!” cried Egwina, hope springing once more in her breast. Rapidly she recounted the circumstances.
“It may be as thou sayest,” mused the ealdorman. “Brother, let us search into the matter as the maiden hath told.”
“No;” the gerefa was full of impatience. “’Tis but a wile of the jade. Besides, hath it not been clearly shown that she hath stolen the harp? Arise, maiden, and hear thy doom. Too long now hast thou detained us. It hath been proved by witnesses, both unbought and unlying, that thou didst take from the manor of Oswald the thegn the harp of Edwy the gleeman. More hath also been shown. Not only didst thou steal the harp, but thou wert found with it in thy possession. Hear, then, the doom.”
“But, my lord, I am innocent—innocent,” interrupted Egwina, wildly. “By the Powers of Heaven, I swear to thee that I am innocent.”
“Girl, darest thou to blaspheme?” cried the gerefa, recoiling from her. “Darest thou to call upon the Powers of Heaven?”
“Aye!” cried Egwina, springing to her feet. “And not only upon the Powers alone, but upon Him who ruleth over all as well. Sir Gerefa, a greater than thou shall be my judge. I commit my soul to God to attest its innocence. Sir, I demand the ordeal.”