The stout earl retired beyond
the Trent, and years and reigns elapsed before this part of
the island accepted their laws and customs."
"I see," said her father, "and yet I cannot help wishing that
Harold--, Here the hound, hearing his name, suddenly rose and
looked at Gerard, who smiling, patted him and said, "We were
not talking of thee, good sir, but of thy great namesake; but
ne'er mind, a live dog they say is worth a dead king."
"Ah! why have we not such a man now," said Sybil, "to protect
the people! Were I a prince I know no career that I should
deem so great."
"But Stephen says no," said Gerard: "he says that these great
men have never made use of us but as tools; and that the
people never can have their rights until they produce
competent champions from their own order."
"But then Stephen does not want to recall the past," said
Sybil with a kind of sigh; "he wishes to create the future."
"The past is a dream," said Gerard.
"And what is the future?" enquired Sybil.
"Alack! I know not; but I often wish the battle of Hastings
were to be fought over again and I was going to have a hand in
it."
"Ah! my father," said Sybil with a mournful smile, "there is
ever your fatal specific of physical force.
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