The lady was
evidently a widow, and of high rank, for she wore a widow's hood and
barb--the barb, a piece of white lawn, that covered the lower part of
the face, being worn only by widows of high degree. The little boy,
too, was also arrayed in black attire; his youthful countenance bore an
expression of the utmost grief, and his large blue eyes were full of
tears. This sorrowful pair did not press forward like the other
petitioners, but kept at a modest distance from the throne, evidently
waiting for the king to give them some encouraging signal before they
ventured to approach him.
The royal Athelstane's attention was at length attracted by the anxious
glances which both mother and son bent upon him; and as he perceived
that they were in distress, he waved his hand for them to draw near.
"Who are ye?" said the king, when the mournful widow and her son, in
obedience to his encouraging sign, advanced, and bowed the knee before
him.
"Will my royal lord be graciously pleased to answer me one question
before I reply to that which he has asked of me?" said the Saxon lady.
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