But what do you seek with me, Hokosa?
Enter and tell me," and he led the way into a little sitting-room.
"Messenger," said the wizard, with deep humility, "I am a proud man; I have been a great man, and it is no light thing to me to humble myself before the face of my conqueror.

Yet I am come to this.

To-day when I was in audience with the king, craving a small boon of his graciousness, he spoke to me sharp and bitter words.

He told me that he had been minded to put me on trial for my life because of various misdoings which are alleged against me in the past, but that you had pleaded for me and that for this cause he spared me.

I come to thank you for your gentleness, Messenger, for I think that had I been in your place I should have whispered otherwise in the ear of the king." "Say no more of it, friend," said Owen kindly, "We are all of us sinners, and it is my place to push back your ancient sins, not to drag them into the light of day and clamour for their punishment.