s me!"

While William ran on thus distractedly, the prelate lifted his eyes
inquiringly to De Graville, who now stood within the tent, and the knight
briefly related the recent trial of strength.

"I see nought in this to chafe thee," said Odo; "the man once thine, the
stronger the vassal, the more powerful the lord."

"But he is not mine; I have sounded him as far as I dare go. Matilda
hath almost openly offered him my fairest child as his wife. Nothing
dazzles, nothing moves him. Thinkest thou I care for his strong arm?
Tut, no: I chafe at the proud heart that set the arm in motion; the proud
meaning his words symbolled out, 'So will English strength guard English
land from the Norman--so axe and shield will defy your mail and your
shafts.' But let him beware!" growled the Duke, fiercely, "or----"

"May I speak," interrupted De Graville, "and suggest a counsel?"

"Speak out, in God's name!" cried the Duke.

"Then I should say, with submission, that the way to tame a lion is not
by gorging him, but daunting. Bold is the lion against open foes; but a
lion in the toils loses his nature. Just now, my lord said that Harold
should not return to his native land----"

"Nor shall he, but as my sworn man!" exclaimed the Duke.

"And if you now put to him that choice, think you it will favour your
views? Will he not reject your proffers, and with hot scorn?"

"Scorn! darest thou that word to me?" cried the Duke. "Scorn! have I no
headsman whose axe is as sharp as Harold's? and the neck of a captive is
not sheathed in my Norman mail."

"Pardon, pardon, my liege," said Mallet, with spirit; "but to save my
chief from a hasty action that might bring long remorse, I spoke thus
boldly. Give the Earl at least fair warning:--a prison, or fealty to
thee, that is the choice before him!--let him know it; let him see that
thy dungeons are dark, and thy walls impassable. Threaten not his
life--brave men care not for that!--threaten thyself nought, but let
others work upon him with fear of his freedom. I know well these Saxish
men; I know well Harold; freedom is their passion, they are cowards when
threatened with the doom of four walls." [197]

"I conceive thee, wise son," exclaimed Odo.

"Ha!" said the Duke, slowly; "and yet it was to prevent such suspicion
that I took care, after the first meeting, to separate him from Haco and
Wolnoth, for they must have learned much in Norman gossip, ill to repeat
to the Saxon."