noon
All the bright native soul that before Haco spoke had dawned gradually back on the Earl 's fair face , now closed itself up , as the leaves of a poisoned flower ; and the pupil of the eye receding , left to the orb that secret and strange expression which had baffled all readers of the heart in the look of his impenetrable father . `` Guile by guile oppose ! '' he muttered vaguely ; then started , clenched his hand , and smiled . In a few moments , more than the usual levee of Norman nobles thronged into the room ; and what with the wonted order of the morning , in the repast , the church service of tierce , and a ceremonial visit to Matilda , who confirmed the intelligence that all was in preparation for his departure , and charged him with gifts of her own needlework to his sister the Queen , and various messages of gracious nature , the time waxed late into noon without his having yet seen either William or Odo . He was still with Matilda , when the Lords Fitzosborne and Raoul de Tancarville entered in full robes of state , and with countenances unusually composed and grave , and prayed the Earl to accompany them into the Duke 's presence . Harold obeyed in silence , not unprepared for covert danger , by the formality of the counts , as by the warnings of Haco ; but , indeed , undivining the solemnity of the appointed snare . On entering the lofty hall , he beheld William seated in state ; his sword of office in his hand , his ducal robe on his imposing form , and with that peculiarly erect air of the head which he assumed upon all ceremonial occasions -LSB- 203 -RSB- .