HavingthusformallyintroducedthegueststothedifferentchambersinwhichtheobsequiesofAthelstanewerecelebratedunderdifferentforms，Cedricconductedthemintoasmallroom，destined，asheinformedthem，fortheexclusiveaccomodationofhonourableguests，whosemoreslightconnexionwiththedeceasedmightrenderthemunwillingtojointhosewhowereimmediatelyeffectedbytheunhappyevent。Heassuredthemofeveryaccommodation，andwasabouttowithdrawwhentheBlackKnighttookhishand。
``Icravetoremindyou，nobleThane，’’hesaid，thatwhenwelastparted，youpromised，fortheserviceIhadthefortunetorenderyou，tograntmeaboon。’’
``Itisgrantederenamed，nobleKnight，’’saidCedric；``yet，atthissadmoment——’’
``Ofthatalso，’’saidtheKing，``Ihavebethoughtme——butmytimeisbrief——neitherdoesitseemtomeunfit，that，whenclosingthegraveonthenobleAthelstane，weshoulddepositthereincertainprejudicesandhastyopinions。’’
``SirKnightoftheFetterlock，’’saidCedric，colouring，andinterruptingtheKinginhisturn，``Itrustyourboonregardsyourselfandnoother；