It was the last moment of weakness.
"May I lie there beside my father?"
"Yes, thou shalt," said Lanfranc.
"After many years," muttered Geoffrey to himself, for he had a secret, which he concealed from his more scrupulous brother.
Lanfranc rose to depart.
"Commend thyself to God in prayer; then sleep and dream of Paradise. I will be with thee ere the October dawn."
And Lanfranc departed.
"How dost thou feel, my son?" said Geoffrey.
"Well, but strangely sleepy, as if control were leaving me and my frame not my own. Was it a strengthening dose thou gavest me?"
"One which will, perchance, save thee. Lie on this bed; now sleep if thou wilt--thou wilt arise the better for it."