THE KING AND THE BONDMEN.

 ration whereof I shall not chastise you further. And
 now, moved by the entreaties of the Lady Edith, who
 is, as most of ye are, of the Saxon race, I release ye
 all from your bondage. Henceforward there shall be
 none but freemen on my estate. Ye shall pay me rent
 for your cottages and your lands; and to such as work
 for me, I will pay a due fee for their labour. The
 steward will inscribe your names on the roll as my
 tenants, and by that shall ye know that your thraldom
 is at an end."















 /---


 For a moment, every one stood in dumb amaze-
ment, scarcely believing what they had heard; but
when they saw the proud and grateful look which the
Lady Edith cast upon her husband, as he stood there
with the glow of benevolence upon his face, such a
shout went up as had never been heard in the castle
hall since it was built, making the old oaken roof ring
again with the sound. Hands and arms were lifted