In the midst of his arguments, there rose from the ranks on the
strand, the shout of "Harold! Harold the Earl! Harold and Holy
Crosse!" And Godwin, turning his eye to the King's ranks, saw them
agitated, swayed, and moving; till suddenly, from the very heart of
the hostile array, came, as by irresistible impulse, the cry, "Harold,
our Harold! All hail, the good Earl!"

While this chanced without,--within the palace, Edward had quitted the
presence-chamber, and was closeted with Stigand, the bishop. This
prelate had the more influence with Edward, inasmuch as though Saxon,
he was held to be no enemy to the Normans, and had, indeed, on a
former occasion, been deposed from his bishopric on the charge of too
great an attachment to the Norman queen-mother Emma [83]. Never in his
whole life had Edward been so stubborn as on this occasion. For here,
more than his realm was concerned, he was threatened in the peace of
his household, and the comfort of his tepid friendships. With the
recall of his powerful father-in-law, he foresaw the necessary
reintrusion of his wife upon the charm of his chaste solitude. His
favourite Normans would be banished, he should be surrounded with
faces he abhorred. All the representations of Stigand fell upon a
stern and unyielding spirit, when Siward entered the King's closet.

"Sir, my King," said the great son of Beorn, "I yielded to your kingly
will in the council, that, before we listened to Godwin, he should
disband his men, and submit to the judgment of the Witan. The Earl
hath sent to me to say, that he will put honour and life in my
keeping, and abide by my counsel. And I have answered as became the
man who will never snare a foe, or betray a trust."

"How hast thou answered?" asked the King.