these glittering ornaments. His eyes were quick and
piercing; his cheeks pale and slightly furrowed. A narrow and retreating
mouth, firmly drawn in, showed the bent of his disposition to be fierce
and choleric, and his wrath not easily turned aside. He was accompanied
by his billmen, together with some half-dozen attendants, clad in shirts
of chain mail and helmets fitting close to the head. These bore lances
after the Norman fashion then prevailing over the ruder customs of their
Saxon predecessors.

The more polished manners of the Norman's court had early pervaded the
ranks of the nobles; and even the few hereditary Saxon chiefs left in
possession of their ancient sovereignties, thought their domains cheaply
purchased by this obsequious show of homage to their king.

The Thane's chief henchman occupied the post of honour, whilst a little
footpage stood by his master's elbow.

The villains prostrated themselves.

"How now!--Where are the caitiffs I commanded of ye? I vow to the Virgin
and St Chadde, your own necks shall swing from the tower in their stead,
should ye fail in that which I require at your hands."

The trembling hearers were, afraid to answer--their lips quivered, and
each tongue seemed to refuse its office. Gamel proceeded:----

"What! come ye to fawn and whine out my purpose? Now will I make your
chastisement ten times hotter for this intent. Lodge these knaves,
Nicholas, i' the further dungeon, till they be reprieved by the rogues
who are yet at large and defying our power:--they hold it somewhat
cheap, methinks, when they value it less than the pampering of their own
wantonness and sport."

Nicholas was herald, bedellus, or chief crier, to the lord of the manor,
his office being to make proclamations at the court and the cross, where
the use of his capacious lungs was oft in request. He was hangman, too,
upon occasion, being never so well pleased as when employed in the due
chastisement of his master's lieges. He was, moreover, a man of infinite
humour, generally consoling his dear unfortunates under their
visitations by some coarse and galling jest.

"Now, Adam of Hunersfield, art thou at thy prayers already?--I'll shrive
thee quick. Master, shall I give the rogues any victuals? They'll not
keep else till hanging time;--best finish now--needless to waste
provender."

"Give them the prison allowance. But, hark thee, no stripes, Nicholas,"
said the chief, well aware of his flagellant propensi