"But where shall he be found?"
"That the dead have not told me."
"But they may tell."
"I know not, but thou shalt see him again in the flesh. Come again in the vine-month, when the clouds of war and rapine shall begin to gather over England once more, and I will tell thee all I shall have learned."
"The clouds of war and rapine?"
"Yes, Brian Fitz-Count. Dost thou, the sworn ally of the banished Empress, mistake my words?"
And we have seen the result of that last interview—in the second visit.
* * * * *
When Brian rode from the barrow—out on the open downs—he gazed upon the beacons which yet blazed, and sometimes shouted with exultation, for like a war-horse he sniffed the coming battle, and shouted ha! ha! He gave his horse the reins and galloped along the breezy ridge—following the Icknield way—his hound behind him.