'Doubtless the matter on which the noble Earl of East Anglia would consult me is one of importance also?' he said.
'The matter on which we twain seek thee, father, is one and the same,' said Ralph, with a smile, 'as thy shrewd wits have doubtless already opined.'
'I had some such notion,' answered the almoner gravely.
'Father Theodred,' said Ralph, grave in his turn, 'thou hast the reputation of an honourable man, and I am about to repose in thee a trust that will put the fortunes, and even the lives, of more than one noble personage, including myself, in thy hands.'
Theodred sprang up hastily.
'Stay thy tongue, noble earl!' said he; 'trust neither thy fortune nor thy life in my hands. Thou knowest my English sympathies, and how thou hast outraged them. How can I bear goodwill to the only English noble who fought beside the Norman on the fatal field where Harold Godwinsson—whom God assoilzie!—lost his precious life?'
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.