As to the price, we will arrange that anon." "Then it is settled," Siegbert said.

"You are a free man, Ealdorman Edmund," and he held out his hand to the youth.

"Now seat yourself at the table with my guests; there are none here but may feel honoured at dining with one of King Alfred's bravest thanes." The transformation in Edmund's position was sudden indeed; a moment since he was a slave, and although he had determined upon making an effort for freedom, he had known that the chances of escape were small, as swift galleys would have been sent off in pursuit, and it was probable that he would have been speedily overtaken and brought back.
Now he was free, and would doubtless be allowed to return home with the first party who sailed thither.
Siegbert at once tried to make Edmund feel at home, addressing much of his conversation to him.

Bijorn, too, spoke in a friendly manner with him, but Sweyn was silent and sullen; he was clearly ill-pleased at this change of fortune which had turned his father's slave into a fellow-guest and equal.

His annoyance was greatly heightened by the fact that it was Freda who had recognized the young Saxon, and the pleasure which her face evinced when her father proposed to purchase him from Bijorn angered him still more.