e lord of
their armaments was borne on shoulder and shield--Harold mounted a
platform, and rose in full view of the crowd.

"Thus," said the arch-prelate, "we choose Harold son of Godwin for lord
and for king." And the thegns drew round, and placed hand on Harold's
knee, and cried aloud, "We choose thee, O Harold, for lord and for king."
And row by row, line by line, all the multitude shouted forth, "We choose
thee, O Harold, for lord and king." So there he stood with his calm
brow, facing all, Monarch of England, and Basileus of Britain.

Now unheeded amidst the throng, and leaning against a column in the
arches of the aisle, was a woman with her veil round her face; and she
lifted the veil for a moment to gaze on that lofty brow, and the tears
were streaming fast down her cheek, but her face was not sad.

"Let the vulgar not see, to pity or scorn thee, daughter of kings as
great as he who abandons and forsakes thee!" murmured a voice in her ear;
and the form of Hilda, needing no support from column or wall, rose erect
by the side of Edith. Edith bowed her head and lowered the veil, as the
King descended the platform and stood again by the altar, while clear
through the hushed assembly rang the words of his triple promise to his
people:

"Peace to His Church and the Christian flock."

"Interdict of rapacity and injustice."

"Equity and mercy in his judgments, as God the gracious and just might
show mercy to him."

And deep from the hearts of thousands came the low "Amen."

Then after a short prayer, which each prelate repeated, the crowd saw
afar the glitter of the crown held over the head of the King. The voice
of the consecrator was heard, low till it came to the words "So potently
and royally may he rule, against all visible and invisible foes, that the
royal throne of the Angles and Saxons may not desert his sceptre."

As the prayer ceased, came the symbolical rite of anointment. Then
pealed the sonorous organ [220], and solemn along the aisles rose the
anthem that closed with the chorus which the voice of the multitude
swelled, "May the King live for ever!" Then the crown that had gleamed
in the trembling hand of the prelate, rested firm in its splendour on the
front of the King. And the sceptre of rule, and the rod of justice, "to
sooth the pious and terrify the bad," were placed in the royal hands.
And the prayer and the blessings were renewed,--till the close; "Bless,
Lord, the courage of this