The powerful De Guader, famed for his pride and haughtiness, and his impatience of all rebuke, even from his royal master, bore this bold speech from the Earl of Hereford's almoner with bent head and dejected mien. 'What if I repent?' he asked softly, his rich voice quavering as he spoke. Theodred gazed at him with astonished and doubtful eyes, and came back to his stool and sat down again opposite to him. The earl raised his head and looked the almoner in the face with a keen, appealing glance. 'What if it is to those very English sympathies that I appeal?' he asked. Theodred, considerably affected, answered, 'Nay then, speak out.' 'And if thou canst not support me, what I say shall be as unspoken?' 'Even so.' 'Swear thou that on the bones of St. Guthlac!' 'The son of Ralph the Staller should know that an Englishman's word is as good as his oath.' 'I will trust thy good faith. A half confidence is but a fool's wisdom. The point on which the Lady Emma will ask thy guidance is as to whether she shall yet deign to be my wife.' 'Ah!' said Theodred, almost involuntarily, in a low tone; 'hast thou ventured so far? Against the king's veto?' 'By St. Eadward, yes!' Theodred's face darkened. 'Take not the name of that holy saint, who was world-king and heaven-king also, to witness to thy sin! Thinkest thou I will aid thee in treachery to thy liege lord?' 'Sin or no sin, there are those high in the Church who will aid me. Dost thou esteem thyself holier than these?' The earl leaned forward and whispered in Theodred's ear the names of several high dignitaries of the English Church, including several abbots and bishops. Theodred betrayed great astonishment. 'What meanest thou?' he asked. 'I mean that there is more in this matter than is at present understanded of thee,' said De Guader. 'Perhaps some insight into my own standpoint would best help thee to the whole question.' The almoner assumed an attitude of respectful attention. 'Thou dost me great honour, noble earl,' he said. 'Nevertheless I must protest that as a simple priest I had rather keep to matters more within my province.' 'These matters must be within thy province, since thy guidance will be asked by the noble demoiselle whose part in them is of such import,' urged De Guader; and the priest sighed deeply, for he had a great love for the gentle girl whose adviser he must needs be in this the chief step of her young life. He saw nothing but strife before her, and was sorely perplexed as to whether he should forward her happiness, or, still more, her spiritual welfare, by aiding or hindering the suit of the turbulent man who was thus seeking to win him to his side, and whom he scarcely knew whether to abhor for his part at Senlac, or to love as the son of Ralph the Staller. Certes De Guader's show of contrition had strangely moved him, and the bruised and bleeding patriotism which was his strongest passion waked into painful life at the sight.