Right up to Duke William spurred the rider, and then leaped from his
steed; vest and mantle, yet more rich than the Duke's, all tattered
and soiled. No knee bent the rider, no cap did he doff; but seizing
the startled Norman with the gripe of a hand as strong as his own, he
led him aside from the courtiers, and said:

"Thou knowest me, William? though not thus alone should I come to thy
court, if I did not bring thee a crown."

"Welcome, brave Tostig!" said the Duke, marvelling. "What meanest
thou? nought but good, by thy words and thy smile."

"Edward sleeps with the dead!--and Harold is King of all England!"

"King!--England!--King!" faltered William, stammering in his
agitation. "Edward dead!--Saints rest him! England then is mine!
King!--I am the King! Harold hath sworn it; my Quens and prelates
heard him; the bones of the saints attest the oath!"

"Somewhat of this have I vaguely learned from our beau-pere Count
Baldwin; more will I learn at thy leisure; but take meanwhile, my word
as Miles and Saxon,--never, while there is breath on his lips, or one
beat in his heart, will my brother, Lord Harold, give an inch of
English land to the Norman."

William turned pale and faint with emotion, and leant for support
against a leafless oak.

Busy were the rumours, and anxious the watch, of the Quens and
knights, as their Prince stood long in the distant glade, conferring