Whether he would join his standard or meet him as a foe, no one could tell.

Emma considered that Godwin was on her side, though even she had not recommended an armed invasion of the country.
It is very probable that Godwin himself was uncertain, at first, what course to pursue, and that he intended to have espoused Prince Alfred's cause if he had found that it presented any reasonable prospect of success.

Or he may have felt bound to serve Harold faithfully, now that he had once given in his adhesion to him.

Of course, he kept his thoughts and plans to himself, leaving the world to see only his deeds.

But if he had ever entertained any design of espousing Alfred's cause, he abandoned it before the time arrived for action.