s and in council, my father Godwin himself.--That object a brother's
wrongs would create from a brother's love, and three hundred ships would
sail up the Seine to demand your captive, manned by warriors as hardy as
those who wrested Neustria from King Charles."

"Granted," said De Graville. "But William, who could cut off the hands
and feet of his own subjects for an idle jest on his birth, could as
easily put out the eyes of a captive foe. And of what worth are the
ablest brain, and the stoutest arm, when the man is dependent on another
for very sight!"

Harold involuntarily shuddered, but recovering himself on the instant, he
replied, with a smile:

"Thou makest thy Duke a butcher more fell than his ancestor Rolfganger.
But thou saidst he needed but to be satisfied on certain points. What
are they?"

"Ah, that thou must divine, or he unfold. But see, William himself
approaches you."

And here the Duke, who had been till then in the rear, spurred up with
courteous excuses to Harold for his long defection from his side; and, as
they resumed their way, talked with all his former frankness and gaiety.

"By the way, dear brother in arms," said he, "I have provided thee this
evening with comrades more welcome, I fear, than myself--Haco and
Wolnoth. That last is a youth whom I love dearly: the first is unsocial
eno', and methinks would make a better hermit than soldier. But, by St.
Valery, I forgot to tell thee that an envoy from Flanders to-day, amongst
other news, brought me some, that may interest thee. There is a strong
commotion in thy brother Tostig's Northumbrian earldom, and the rumour
runs that his fierce vassals will drive him forth and select some other
lord: talk was of the sons of Algar--so I think ye called the stout dead
Earl. This looks grave, for my dear cousin Edward's health is failing
fast. May the saints spare him long from their rest!"

"These are indeed ill tidings," said the Earl; "and I trust that they
suffice to plead at once my excuse for urging any immediate departure.
Grateful I am for thy most gracious hostship, and thy just and generous
intercession with thy liegeman" (Harold dwelt emphatically on the last
word), "for my release from a capture disgraceful to all Christendom.
The ransom so nobly paid for me I will not insult thee, dear my lord, by
affecting to repay; but such gifts as our cheapmen hold most rare,
perchance thy lady and thy fair children will deign to receive at my