I know Duke William and his crafty spirit; he hates thee, and will grant thee nought unless he see his advantage therefrom.

The only way to make him give up the hostages will be to send some other than thyself." Harold, however, persisted and went.

William received him with apparent cordiality, promised him the release of the two hostages, escorted him and his comrades from castle to castle, and from entertainment to entertainment, made them knights of the grand Norman order, and even invited them, "by way of trying their new spurs," to accompany him on a little warlike expedition he was about to undertake in Brittany.

Harold and his comrades behaved gallantly: and he and William shared the same tent and the same table.

On returning, as they trotted side by side, William turned the conversation upon his youthful connection with the king of England.