CHAPTER VI.


Brief was the sojourn of Tostig at the court of Rouen; speedily made
the contract between the grasping Duke and the revengeful traitor.
All that had been promised to Harold, was now pledged to Tostig--if
the last would assist the Norman to the English throne.

At heart, however, Tostig was ill satisfied. His chance conversations
with the principal barons, who seemed to look upon the conquest of
England as the dream of a madman, showed him how doubtful it was that
William could induce his Quens to a service, to which the tenure of
their fiefs did not appear to compel them; and at all events, Tostig
prognosticated delays, that little suited his fiery impatience. He
accepted the offer of some two or three ships, which William put at
his disposal, under pretence to reconnoitre the Northumbrian coasts,
and there attempt a rising in his own favour. But his discontent was
increased by the smallness of the aid afforded him; for William, ever
suspicious, distrusted both his faith and his power. Tostig, with all
his vices, was a poor dissimulator, and his sullen spirit betrayed
itself when he took leave of his host.

"Chance what may," said the fierce Saxon, "no stranger shall seize the
English crown without my aid. I offer it first to thee. But thou
must come to take it in time, or----"