mingle in the conversation by some observation

made abruptly or at random.

"We drink this beaker," said he, "to the health of Wilfrid of Ivanhoe, champion of this passage of arms, and grieve that his wound renders him absent from our board—Let all fill to the pledge, and especially Cedric of Rotherham, the worthy father of a son so promising."

"No, my lord," replied Cedric, standing up, and placing on the table his untasted cup, "I yield not the name of son to the disobedient youth, who at once despises my commands, and relinquishes the manners and customs of his fathers." "'Tis impossible," cried Prince John, with well-feigned astonishment, "that so gallant a knight should be an unworthy or disobedient son."

"Yet, my lord," answered Cedric, "so it is with this Wilfrid. He left my homely dwelling to mingle with the gay nobility of your brother's court, where he learned to do those tricks of horsemanship which you prize so highly. He left it contrary to my wish and command; and in the days of Alfred that would have been term-