Relying upon his affection and
friendship, I have called you here together to hear him swear in public
that which he has already told me privately--that he will be my faithful
feudatory, and will in all ways aid me to gain my lawful rights."
Harold changed colour. The matter had come upon him as a surprise.
Doubtless he had in a vague way when discussing his future relations as
son-in-law to the duke, expressed his warm friendship and a general
willingness to be of service to him, but to be called upon to take an oath
publicly was a different matter. Most of those present had taken oaths of
allegiance to William and had broken them again and again, and William
himself had not less frequently broken his feudal oaths to his suzerain,
the King of France. But Harold was a man with a deep sense of religion, and
did not esteem as lightly as these Norman barons an oath thus sworn; but he
felt that he had fallen into a trap, and that resistance would but consign
him to a prison, if not a grave.
He at once understood how hollow had been the pretended friendship of his
host; but he was in William's power, and unless as a friend the duke would
never permit so formidable a rival to quit his shores. As he hesitated he
saw a movement on the part of the Norman knights near the dais, and
understood that they had been previously informed of William's intentions,
and were there to enforce them. Their brows were bent on him angrily as he
hesitated, and more than one hand went to the hilt of the wearer's sword.
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