I have spoken of it more than once
to the duke, but he chides me for being weary of his company; which
indeed I am not, for no man could have treated another better than
he has done me. Still," he said, walking up and down the room, "I
am impatient to be off, but I am no more free to choose my time
here that I was at Beaurain. It is a velvet glove that is placed
on my shoulder, but there is an iron hand in it, I know right well."
"Is there no possibility of escaping, my lord?"
Harold looked keenly at the boy. "No, Wulf, treated as I am as a
guest I cannot fly without incurring the reproach of the basest
ingratitude, nor even if I wished it could I escape. Under the
excuse of doing me honour, there are Norman soldiers at the gate,
and a Norman sentry stands at my door. I must go through with it
now, and if need be promise all that William asks. This time there
is nowhere to send you to fetch aid for me. You have heard, I
suppose, that William has promised me his daughter in marriage?"
"Yes, my lord, I have heard it. Is the marriage to take place soon?"
Harold smiled. "The duke will not wish it to take place until he
sees that he can secure my services by the marriage. If that time
should never come I shall probably hear no more of it. Engagements
have been broken off before now many a time, and absolution for a
broken promise of that kind is not hard to obtain. You must attend
the court this evening, Wulf.
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