and the sacred melody burst forth with the great hymn, "Te Deum."

As it ceased, prelate and thegn raised their chief from the floor, and
in imitation of the old custom of Teuton and Northman--when the lord
of their armaments was borne on shoulder and shield--Harold mounted a
platform, and rose in full view of the crowd.

"Thus," said the arch-prelate, "we choose Harold son of Godwin for
lord and for king." And the thegns drew round, and placed hand on
Harold's knee, and cried aloud, "We choose thee, O Harold, for lord
and for king." And row by row, line by line, all the multitude
shouted forth, "We choose thee, O Harold, for lord and king." So
there he stood with his calm brow, facing all, Monarch of England, and
Basileus of Britain.

Now unheeded amidst the throng, and leaning against a column in the
arches of the aisle, was a woman with her veil round her face; and she
lifted the veil for a moment to gaze on that lofty brow, and the tears
were streaming fast down her cheek, but her face was not sad.

"Let the vulgar not see, to pity or scorn thee, daughter of kings as
great as he who abandons and forsakes thee!" murmured a voice in her
ear; and the form of Hilda, needing no support from column or wall,
rose erect by the side of Edith. Edith bowed her head and lowered the
veil, as the King descended the platform and stood again by the altar,
while clear through the hushed assembly rang the words of his triple
promise to his people:

"Peace to His Church and the Christian flock."