daughter fair as the fairest; make her thy bride that Algar may cease
to be a foe. This alliance will render Mercia, in truth, subject to
our principalities, since the stronger must quell the weaker. It doth
more. Algar himself has married into the royalty of Wales [112].
Thou wilt win all those fierce tribes to thy side. Their forces will
gain thee the marches, now held so feebly under Rolf the Norman, and
in case of brief reverse, or sharp danger, their mountains will give
refuge from all foes. This day, greeting Algar, he told me he
meditated bestowing his daughter on Gryffyth, the rebel under-King of
North Wales. Therefore," continued the old Earl, with a smile, "thou
must speak in time, and win and woo in the same breath. No hard task,
methinks, for Harold of the golden tongue."

"Sir, and father," replied the young Earl, whom the long speech
addressed to him had prepared for its close, and whose habitual self-
control saved him from disclosing his emotion, "I thank you duteously,
for your care for my future, and hope to profit by your wisdom. I
will ask the King's leave to go to my East Anglians, and hold there a
folkmuth, administer justice, redress grievances, and make thegn and
ceorl content with Harold, their Earl. But vain is peace in the
realm, if there is strife in the house. And Aldyth, the daughter of
Algar, cannot be house-wife to me."

"Why?" asked the old Earl, calmly, and surveying his son's face with
those eyes so clear yet so unfathomable.

"Because, though I grant her fair, she pleases not my fancy, nor would
give warmth to my hearth. Because, as thou knowest well, Algar and I
have ever been opposed, both in camp and in council; and I am not the
man who can sell my love, though I may stifle my anger. Earl Harold