So we three went into his sleeping chamber with him.

At one side was the state bed with its heavy hangings, and midway in the room, by its side, was a great chair, softly cushioned.

The smell of the sweet sedges with which the room had been newly strown was pleasant and cool, and a little chill breeze came in from the window with the moonlight.
"Leave me for a while, my thanes," he said; "I will call you anon.
Wilfrid will no doubt be glad to go to his place; so goodnight" He smiled at me, and held out his hand, and I bent and kissed it.
So we went back to the other room to wait, for we knew that the king would pray.

The door swung softly to after us.
Now I thought I heard the chair creak as the king went to it.

Then there was a sound as of a fall somewhere near us, and a stifled cry.
"What is that ?" I said, turning to Sighard.
"Housecarls outside;" he said.