Two persons were seated in the chair.
One was a man of three or four and twenty, the other was his junior by some two years.

Both wore light crowns of gold somewhat different in their fashion.

Before the younger was a parchment, an inkhorn, and pens.

King Ethelred was a man of a pleasant face, but marked by care and by long vigils and rigorous fastings.

Alfred was a singularly handsome young prince, with an earnest and intellectual face.