Because, as thou knowest well, Algar and I have ever been opposed, both in camp and in council; and I am not the man who can sell my love, though I may stifle my anger.

Earl Harold needs no bride to bring spearmen to his back at his need; and his lordships he will guard with the shield of a man, not the spindle of a woman." "Said in spite and in error," replied the old Earl, coolly.

"Small pain had it given thee to forgive Algar old quarrels, and clasp his hand as a father-in-law--if thou hadst had for his daughter what the great are forbidden to regard save as a folly." "Is love a folly, my father ?" "Surely, yes," said the Earl, with some sadness--"surely, yes, for those who know that life is made up of business and care, spun out in long years, nor counted by the joys of an hour.

Surely, yes; thinkest thou that I loved my first wife, the proud sister of Canute, or that Edith, thy sister, loved Edward, when he placed the crown on her head ?" "My father, in Edith, my sister, our House has sacrificed enow to selfish power." "I grant it, to selfish power," answered the eloquent old man, "but not enow for England's safety.

Look to it, Harold; thy years, and thy fame, and thy state, place thee free from my control as a father, but not till thou sleepest in thy cerements art thou free from that father--thy land! Ponder it in thine own wise mind--wiser already than that which speaks to it under the hood of grey hairs.