is in this part of Normandy."

The horses were brought round, and the three lads rode into Rouen
just as night was falling.

Long before daybreak there was a stir in the streets of the city,
as parties of knights and nobles rode in with bodies of their
retainers in obedience to the orders of the duke. All in the palace
were awake early. A hasty breakfast was eaten, while just as the
sun rose the duke mounted his horse, and at the head of an array,
composed of some twenty barons and knights and four hundred
men-at-arms, rode out of the city.

"There is a good deal more pomp and show here than there was when
we rode with Harold from London," Wulf said. "In truth these Norman
nobles make a far braver appearance in their armour and robes, and
with their banners carried behind them, than we do. Were the king
himself to ride in state through London he would scarce be so gaily
attended."

"Duke William does not look as if he cared for show," Beorn said.

"Nor does he," Guy, who was riding beside them, put in. "For himself
he is simple in his tastes, but he knows that the people are impressed
by pomp, and love to see a brave cavalcade, therefore he insists
on the observance of outward forms; and his court here on state
occasions vies, as they tell me, with that of Henry of France."

"Where shall we rest tonight?" Wulf asked. "Methinks from the
appearance of the sky that we shall have rain, and unless we sleep