There was no drawing back, and placing his hand on the table he swore the
oath William had dictated. When he concluded William snatched the cloth
from the table, and below it were seen a number of bones and sacred relics
that had been brought from the cathedral.
Enlightened as Harold was, he was not altogether free from the
superstitions of the age. For a moment he shuddered slightly and grew paler
than before, then he drew himself up to his full height, and looked calmly
into the exulting face of William.
"I call you all to witness," the duke said in a loud voice, "that Harold,
Earl of Wessex, has taken a solemn oath upon the holy relics to be my
faithful feudatory."
The shout that answered him was by no means universal, for there were many
among the Norman nobles who were shocked at the base trick that the duke
had played upon a guest for whom he had professed the warmest friendship.
The Saxon thanes could scarce contain their expressions of indignation, but
Harold as he sat down among them made a gesture commanding silence.
"We sail for England to-morrow night," he said in low tones. "The duke told
me so as we came hither. The two ships will be in readiness for us to
embark in the morning. I did not understand then the price I was to pay.
Restrain yourselves now; when we are free men we can talk this over."
An hour later they returned to the palace, where there was a brief and
formal interview between Harold and the duke.
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