It seemed as if there were a trial.
Gerent sat in the great chair which one might call his throne at the upper end of the room, and beside him was Owen.

I thought that my foster father seemed pale and troubled in that first glance, but I had every reason to know why this was so.

Before these two stood a man, with his back to me therefore, and for the moment I did not recognise him.

On either side of this man were guards, and it was plainly he who was in trouble, if any one.

Gerent was speaking to him.
"Well," he said, "hither you have come as a guest, and as a guest you shall be treated.