midnight
Meanwhile the monk and the Norman knight drew near and paused at some short distance , while Haco , advancing , said briefly : `` These men I found at our outposts ; they demand to speak with the King . '' `` Under his standard the King will hear the Norman invader , '' replied Harold ; `` bid them speak . '' The same sallow , mournful , ominous countenance , which Harold had before seen in the halls of Westminster , rising deathlike above the serge garb of the Benedict of Caen , now presented itself , and the monk thus spoke : `` In the name of William , Duke of the Normans in the field , Count of Rouen in the hall , Claimant of all the realms of Anglia , Scotland , and the Walloons , held under Edward his cousin , I come to thee , Harold his liege and Earl . '' `` Change thy titles , or depart , '' said Harold , fiercely , his brow no longer mild in its majesty , but dark as midnight . `` What says William the Count of the Foreigners , to Harold , King of the Angles , and Basileus of Britain ? '' `` Protesting against thy assumption , I answer thee thus , '' said Hugues Maigrot . `` First , again he offers thee all Northumbria , up to the realm of the Scottish sub-king , if thou wilt fulfil thy vow , and cede him the crown . ''