The dame looked a picture of consternation and fell upon her knees.
"Pardon me, your majesty," she cried; "to think that I have ventured to abuse our good King Alfred, and have even in mine anger lifted my hand against him!" "And with right good-will too," the king said laughing.

"Never fear, good dame, your tongue has been rough but your heart has been kindly, or never would you have borne so long with so shiftless a serving-man.
But leave us now, I pray ye, for I have much to say to my good friends here.

And now, Edmund, what news do you bring?
I do not ask after the doings of the Dragon, for that no doubt is a long story which you shall tell me later, but how fares it with my kingdom?
I have been in correspondence with several of my thanes, who have from time to time sent me news of what passes without.

From what they say I deem that the time for action is at last nigh at hand.

The people are everywhere desperate at the oppression and exactions of the Danes, and are ready to risk everything to free themselves from so terrible a yoke.