EDGAR.

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deceive than refuse him. She feigned therefore a csubmission to his will ; but secretly ordered awaiting-maid , of no disagreeable figure , to stealinto the king’s bed , after all the company shouldbe retired to rest. In the morning, before day-break , the damsel, agreeably to the injunctionsof her mistress , offered to retire ; but Edgar, whohad no reserve in his pleasures , and whose loveto his bedfellow was rather enflamed by enjoyment,refused his consent , and employed force andentreaties to detain her. Elfleda (for that wasthe name of the maid ) trusting to her owncharms, and to the love with which, she hoped,she had now inspired the king , made probablybut a faint resistance ; and the return of lightdiscovered the deceit to Edgar. He had passed anight so much to his satisfaction, that he expressedno displeasure with the old lady on account ofher fraud ; his love was transferred to Elfleda;she became his favourite mistress; and maintainedher ascendant over him, till his marriage withElfrida

The circumstances of his marriage with thislady were more singular, and more criminal.Elfrida was daughter and heir of Olgar, earl ofDevonshire; and though she had been educatedin the country, and had never appeared at court,lhe had filled all England with the reputation ofher beauty. Edgar himself, who was indifferentto no accounts of this nature, found his curiosity

W. Jlalmes. lib. 2. cap. 8. tiigden, p. 268.

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II.