with sleep. "My father! My father! I dreamed of treachery," he cried,
and babbled thickly.

'"There is no treachery here," said Fulke. "Go!" and the boy turned,
even then not fully awake, and Jehan led him by the hand to the Great
Hall.

'"Thy only son!" said De Aquila. "Why didst thou bring the child here?"

'"He is my heir. I dared not trust him to my brother," said Fulke, and
now he was ashamed. De Aquila said nothing, but sat weighing a wine cup
in his two hands--thus. Anon, Fulke touched him on the knee.

'"Let the boy escape to Normandy," said he, "and do with me at thy
pleasure. Yea, hang me tomorrow, with my letter to Robert round my neck,
but let the boy go."

'"Be still," said De Aquila. "I think for England."

'So we waited what our Lord of Pevensey should devise; and the sweat ran
down Fulke's forehead.

'At last said De Aquila: "I am too old to judge, or to trust any man. I
do not covet thy lands, as thou hast coveted mine; and whether thou art
any better or any worse than any other black Angevin thief, it is for
thy King to find out. Therefore, go back to thy King, Fulke."

'"And thou wilt say nothing of what has passed?" said Fulke.

'"Why should I? Thy son will stay with me. If the King calls me again to