mark of distinction was peculiar to them. One of these seats
was at present occupied by Cedric the Saxon, who, though but in rank a thane,
or, as the Normans called him, a Franklin, felt, at the delay of his evening
meal, an irritable impatience, which might have become an alderman, whether of
ancient or of modern times.
    It appeared, indeed, from the countenance of this proprietor, that he was of
a frank, but hasty and choleric temper. He was not above the middle stature, but
broad-shouldered, long-armed, and powerfully made, like one accustomed to endure
the fatigue of war or of the chase; his face was broad, with large blue eyes,
open and frank features, fine teeth, and a well-formed head, altogether
expressive of that sort of good humour which often lodges with a sudden and
hasty temper. Pride and jealousy there was in his eye, for his life had been
spent in asserting rights which were constantly liable to invasion; and the
prompt, fiery, and resolute disposition of the man, had been kept constantly
upon the alert by the circumstances of his situation. His long yellow hair was
equally divided on the top of his head and upon his brow, and combed down on
each side to the length of his shoulders: it had but little tendency to grey,
although Cedric was approaching to his sixtieth year.
    His dress was a tunic of forest green, furred at the throat and cuffs with
what was called minever; a kind of fur inferior in quality to ermine, and
formed, it is believed, of the skin of the grey squirrel. This doublet hung
unbuttoned over a close dress of scarlet which sate tight to his body; he had
breeches of the same, but they did not reach below the lower part of the thigh,
leaving the knee exposed. His feet had sandals of the same fashion with the
peasants, but of finer materials, and secured in the front with golden clasps.
He had bracelets of gold upon his arms, and a broad collar of the same precious
metal around his neck. About his waist he wore a richly-studded belt, in which
was stuck a short straight two-edged sword, with a sharp point, so disposed as
to hang almost perpendicularly by his side. Behind his seat was hung a scarlet
cloth cloak lined with fur, and a cap of the same materials richly embroidered,
which completed the dress of the opulent landholder when he chose to go forth. A
short boar-spear, with a broad and bright steel head,