nd overbearing. Tell me, O Saxon, frank Saxon,
why you love Godwin the Earl? Fain would I know; for, please the saints
(and you and your Earl so permitting), I mean to live and die in this
merrie England; and it would be pleasant to learn that I have but to do
as Earl Godwin, in order to win love from the English."

The stout Vebba looked perplexed; but after stroking his beard
thoughtfully, he answered thus:

"Though of Kent, and therefore in his earldom, I am not one of Godwin's
especial party; for that reason was I chosen his bode. Those who are
under him doubtless love a chief liberal to give and strong to protect.
The old age of a great leader gathers reverence, as an oak gathers moss.
But to me, and those like me, living peaceful at home, shunning courts,
and tempting not broils, Godwin the man is not dear--it is Godwin the
thing."

"Though I do my best to know your language," said the knight, "ye have
phrases that might puzzle King Solomon. What meanest thou by 'Godwin the
thing'?"

"That which to us Godwin only seems to uphold. We love justice; whatever
his offences, Godwin was banished unjustly. We love our laws; Godwin was
dishonoured by maintaining them. We love England, and are devoured by
strangers; Godwin's cause is England's, and--stranger, forgive me for not
concluding."

Then examining the young Norman with a look of rough compassion, he laid
his large hand upon the knight's shoulder and whispered:

"Take my advice--and fly."

"Fly!" said De Graville, reddening. "Is it to fly, think you, that I
have put on my mail, and girded my sword?"

"Vain--vain! Wasps are fierce, but the swarm is doomed when the straw is
kindled. I tell you this--fly in time, and you are safe; but let the
King be so misguided as to count on arms, and strive against yon
multitude, and verily before nightfall not one Norman will be found alive
within ten miles of the city. Look to it, youth! Perhaps thou hast a
mother--let her not mourn a son!"

Before the Norman could shape into Saxon sufficiently polite and courtly
his profound and indignant disdain of the counsel, his sense of the
impertinence with which his shoulder had been profaned, and his mother's
son had been warned, the nuncius was again summoned into the
presence-chamber. Nor did he return into the ante-room, but conducted
forthwith from the council--his brief answer received--to the stairs of
the palace, he reached the boat in which he had come, an