the little duke-第13章

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　visit；　so　as　to　prevent　him　from　having　any　conversation　in　private　with　the　other　great　vassals　assembled　at　the　court。　　Hugh　did　not　seem　to　perceive　this；　and　acted　as　if　he　was　entirely　at　his　ease；　but　at　the　same　time　he　watched　his　opportunity。　　One　evening；　after　supper；　he　came　up　to　the　window　where　Richard　and　Carloman　were；　as　usual；　deep　in　story　telling；　he　sat　down　on　the　stone　seat；　and　taking　Richard　on　his　knee；　he　asked　if　he　had　any　greetings　for　the　Count　de　Harcourt。

How　Richard's　face　lighted　up！　　〃Oh；　Sir；〃　he　cried；　〃are　you　going　to　Normandy？〃

〃Not　yet；　my　boy；　but　it　may　be　that　I　may　have　to　meet　old　Harcourt　at　the　Elm　of　Gisors。〃

〃Oh；　if　I　was　but　going　with　you。〃

〃I　wish　I　could　take　you；　but　it　would　scarcely　do　for　me　to　steal　the　heir　of　Normandy。　　What　shall　I　tell　him？〃

〃Tell　him；〃　whispered　Richard；　edging　himself　close　to　the　Count；　and　trying　to　reach　his　ear；　〃tell　him　that　I　am　sorry；　now；　that　I　was　sullen　when　he　reproved　me。　　I　know　he　was　right。　　And；　sir；　if　he　brings　with　him　a　certain　huntsman　with　a　long　hooked　nose；　whose　name　is　Walter；　｛12｝　tell　him　I　am　sorry　I　used　to　order　him　about　so　unkindly。　　And　tell　him　to　bear　my　greetings　to　Fru　Astrida　and　Sir　Eric；　and　to　Alberic。〃

〃Shall　I　tell　him　how　you　have　marked　your　face？〃

〃No；〃　said　Richard；　〃he　would　think　me　a　baby　to　care　about　such　a　thing　as　that！〃

The　Count　asked　how　it　happened；　and　Richard　told　the　story；　for　he　felt　as　if　he　could　tell　the　kind　Count　anythingit　was　almost　like　that　last　evening　that　he　had　sat　on　his　father's　knee。　　Hugh　ended　by　putting　his　arm　round　him；　and　saying；　〃Well；　my　little　Duke；　I　am　as　glad　as　you　are　the　gallant　bird　is　safeit　will　be　a　tale　for　my　own　little　Hugh　and　Eumacette　｛13｝　at　homeand　you　must　one　day　be　friends　with　them　as　your　father　has　been　with　me。　　And　now；　do　you　think　your　Squire　could　come　to　my　chamber　late　this　evening　when　the　household　is　at　rest？〃

Richard　undertook　that　Osmond　should　do　so；　and　the　Count；　setting　him　down　again；　returned　to　the　dais。　　Osmond；　before　going　to　the　Count　that　evening；　ordered　Sybald　to　come　and　guard　the　Duke's　door。　It　was　a　long　conference；　for　Hugh　had　come　to　Laon　chiefly　for　the　purpose　of　seeing　how　it　went　with　his　friend's　son；　and　was　anxious　to　know　what　Osmond　thought　of　the　matter。　　They　agreed　that　at　present　there　did　not　seem　to　be　any　evil　intended；　and　that　it　rather　appeared　as　if　Louis　wished　only　to　keep　him　as　a　hostage　for　the　tranquillity　of　the　borders　of　Normandy；　but　Hugh　advised　that　Osmond　should　maintain　a　careful　watch；　and　send　intelligence　to　him　on　the　first　token　of　mischief。

The　next　morning　the　Count　of　Paris　quitted　Laon；　and　everything　went　on　in　the　usual　course　till　the　feast　of　Whitsuntide；　when　there　was　always　a　great　display　of　splendour　at　the　French　court。　　The　crown　vassals　generally　came　to　pay　their　duty　and　go　with　the　King　to　Church；　and　there　was　a　state　banquet；　at　which　the　King　and　Queen　wore　their　crowns；　and　every　one　sat　in　great　magnificence　according　to　their　rank。

The　grand　procession　to　Church　was　over。　　Richard　had　walked　with　Carloman；　the　Prince　richly　dressed　in　blue；　embroidered　with　golden　fleur…de…lys；　and　Richard　in　scarlet；　with　a　gold　Cross　on　his　breast；　the　beautiful　service　was　over；　they　had　returned　to　the　Castle；　and　there　the　Seneschal　was　marshalling　the　goodly　and　noble　company　to　the　banquet；　when　horses'　feet　were　heard　at　the　gate　announcing　some　fresh　arrival。　　The　Seneschal　went　to　receive　the　guests；　and　presently　was　heard　ushering　in　the　noble　Prince；　Arnulf；　Count　of　Flanders。

Richard's　face　became　palehe　turned　from　Carloman　by　whose　side　he　had　been　standing；　and　walked　straight　out　of　the　hall　and　up　the　stairs；　closely　followed　by　Osmond。　　In　a　few　minutes　there　was　a　knock　at　the　door　of　his　chamber；　and　a　French　Knight　stood　there　saying；　〃Comes　not　the　Duke　to　the　banquet？〃

〃No；〃　answered　Osmond：　　〃he　eats　not　with　the　slayer　of　his　father。〃

〃The　King　will　take　it　amiss；　for　the　sake　of　the　child　you　had　better　beware；〃　said　the　Frenchman；　hesitating。

〃He　had　better　beware　himself；〃　exclaimed　Osmond；　indignantly；　〃how　he　brings　the　treacherous　murderer　of　William　Longsword　into　the　presence　of　a　free…born　Norman；　unless　he　would　see　him　slain　where　he　stands。　　Were　it　not　for　the　boy；　I　would　challenge　the　traitor　this　instant　to　single　combat。〃

〃Well；　I　can　scarce　blame　you；〃　said　the　Knight；　〃but　you　had　best　have　a　care　how　you　tread。　　Farewell。〃

Richard　had　hardly　time　to　express　his　indignation；　and　his　wishes　that　he　was　a　man；　before　another　message　came　through　a　groom　of　Lothaire's　train；　that　the　Duke　must　fast；　if　he　would　not　consent　to　feast　with　the　rest。

〃Tell　Prince　Lothaire；〃　replied　Richard；　〃that　I　am　not　such　a　glutton　as　heI　had　rather　fast　than　be　choked　with　eating　with　Arnulf。〃

All　the　rest　of　the　day；　Richard　remained　in　his　own　chamber；　resolved　not　to　run　the　risk　of　meeting　with　Arnulf。　　The　Squire　remained　with　him；　in　this　voluntary　imprisonment；　and　they　occupied　themselves；　as　best　they　could；　with　furbishing　Osmond's　armour；　and　helping　each　other　out　in　repeating　some　of　the　Sagas。　　They　once　heard　a　great　uproar　in　the　court；　and　both　were　very　anxious　to　learn　its　cause；　but　they　did　not　know　it　till　late　in　the　afternoon。

Carloman　crept　up　to　them〃Here　I　am　at　last！〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃Here；　Richard；　I　have　brought　you　some　bread；　as　you　had　no　dinner：　　it　was　all　I　could　bring。　　I　saved　it　under　the　table　lest　Lothaire　should　see　it。〃

Richard　thanked　Carloman　with　all　his　heart；　and　being　very　hungry　was　glad　to　share　the　bread　with　Osmond。　　He　asked　how　long　the　wicked　Count　was　going　to　stay；　and　rejoiced　to　hear　he　was　going　away　the　next　morning；　and　the　King　was　going　with　him。

〃What　was　that　great　noise　in　the　court？〃　asked　Richard。

〃I　scarcely　like　to　tell　you；〃　returned　Carloman。

Richard；　however；　begged　to　hear；　and　Carloman　was　obliged　to　tell　that　the　two　Norman　grooms；　Sybald　and　Henry；　had　quarrelled　with　the　Flemings　of　Arnulf's　train；　there　had　been　a　fray；　which　had　ended　in　the　death　of　three　Flemings；　a　Frank；　and　of　Sybald　himselfAnd　where　was　Henry？　　Alas！　there　was　more　ill　newsthe　King　had　sentenced　Henry　to　die；　and　he　had　been　hanged　immediately。

Dark　with　anger　and　sorrow　grew　young　Richard's　face；　he　had　been　fond　of　his　two　Norman　attendants；　he　trusted　to　their　attachment；　and　he　would　have　wept　for　their　loss　even　if　it　had　happened　in　any　other　way；　but　now；　when　it　had　been　caused　by　their　enmity　to　his　father's　foes；　the　Flemings；when　one　had　fallen　overwhelmed　by　numbers；　and　the　other　been　condemned　hastily；　cruelly；　unjustly；　it　was　too　much；　and　he　almost　choked　with　grief　and　indignation。　　Why　had　he　not　been　there；　to　claim　Henry　as　his　own　vassal；　and　if　he　could　not　save　him；　at　least　bid　him　farewell？　　Then　he　would　have　broken　out　in　angry　threats；　but　he　felt　his　own　helplessness；　and　was　ashamed；　and　he　could　only　shed　tears　of　passionate　grief；　refusing　all　Carloman's　attempts　to　comfort　him。　　Osmond　was　even　more　concerned；　he　valued　the　two　Normans　extremely　for　their　courage　and　faithfulness；　and　had　relied　on　sending　intelligence　by　their　means　to　Rouen；　in　case　of　need。　　It　appeared　to　him　as　if　the　first　opportunity　had　been　seized　of　removing　these　protectors　from　the　little　Duke；　and　as　if　the　designs；　whatever　they　might　be；　which　had　been　formed　against　him；　were　about　to　take　effect。　　He　had　little　doubt　that　his　own　turn　would　be　the　next；　but　he　was　resolved　to　endure　anything；　rather　than　give　the　smallest　opportunity　of　removing　him；　to　bear　even　insults　with　patience；　and　to　remember　that　in　his　care　rested　the　sole　hope　of　safety　for　his　charge。

That　danger　was　fast　gathering　around　them　became　more　evident　every　day；　especially　after　the　King　and　Arnulf　had　gone　away　together。　　It　was　very　hot　weather；　and　Richard　began　to　weary　after　the　broad　cool　river　at　Rouen；　where　he　used　to　bathe　last　summer；　and　one　evening　he　persuaded　his　Squire　to　go　down　with　him　to　the　Oise；　which　flowed　along　some　meadow　ground　about　a　quarter　of　a　mile　from　the　Castle；　but　they　had　hardly　set　forth　before　three　or　four　attendants　came　running　after　them；　with　express　orders　from　the　Queen　that　they　should　return　immediately。　　They　obeyed；　and　found　her　standing　in　the　Castle　hall；　looking　greatly　incensed。

〃What　means　this？〃　she　asked；　angrily。　　〃Knew　you　not　that　the　King　has　left　commands　that　the　Duke　quits　not　the　Castle　in　his　absence？〃

〃I　was　only　going　as　far　as　the　river〃　began　Richard；　but　Gerberge　cut　him　short。　　〃Silence；　childI　will　hear　no　excuses。　　Perhaps　you　think；　Sieur　de　Centeville；　that　you　may　take　liberties　in　the　King's　absence；　but　I　tell　you　that　if　you　are　found　without　the　walls　again；　it　shall　be　at　your　peril；　ay；　and　his！　　I'll　have　those　haughty　eyes　put　out；　if　you　disobey！〃

She　turned　away；　and　Lothaire　looked　at　them　with　his　air　of　gratified　malice。　　〃You　will　not　lord　it　over　your　betters　much　longer；　young　pirate！〃　said　he；　as　he　followed　his　mother；　afraid　to　stay　to　meet　the　anger　he　might　have　excited　by　the　taunt　he　could　not　deny　himself　the　pleasure　of　making；　but　Richard；　who；　six　months　ago　could　not　brook　a　slight　disappointment　or　opposition；　had；　in　his　present　life　of　restraint；　danger；　and　vexation；　learnt　to　curb　the　first　outbreak　of　temper；　and　to　bear　patiently　instead　of　breaking　out　into　passion　and　threats；　and　now　his　only　thought　was　of　his　beloved　Squire。

〃Oh；　Osmond！　　Osmond！〃　he　exclaimed；　〃they　shall　not　hurt　you。　　I　will　never　go　out　again。　　I　will　never　speak　another　hasty　word。　　I　will　never　affront　the　Prince；　if　they　will　but　leave　you　with　me！〃



CHAPTER　VIII



It　was　a　fine　summer　evening；　and　Richard　and　Carloman　were　playing　at　ball　on　the　steps　of　the　Castle…gate；　when　a　voice　was　heard　from　beneath；　begging　for　alms　from　the　noble　Princes　in　the　name　of　the　blessed　Virgin；　and　the　two　boys　saw　a　pilgrim　standing　at　the　gate；　wrapt　in　a　long　robe　of　serge；　with　a　staff　in　his　hand；　surmounted　by　a　Cross；　a　scrip　at　his　girdle；　and　a　broad　shady　hat；　which　he　had　taken　off；　as　he　stood；　making　low　obeisances；　and　asking　charity。

〃Come　in；　holy　pilgrim；〃　said　Carloman。　　〃It　is　late；　and　you　shall　sup　and　rest　here　to…night。〃

〃Blessings　from　Heaven　light　on　you；　noble　Prince；〃　replied　the　pilgrim；　and　at　that　moment　Richard　shouted　joyfully；　〃A　Norman；　a　Norman！　'tis　my　own　dear　speech！　　Oh；　are　you　not　from　Normandy？　Osmond；　Osmond！　he　comes　from　home！〃

〃My　Lord！　my　own　Lord！〃　exclaimed　the　pilgrim；　and；　kneeling　on　one　knee　at　the　foot　of　the　steps；　he　kissed　the　hand　which　his　young　Duke　held　out　to　him〃This　is　joy　unlooked　for！〃

〃Walter！Walter；　the　huntsman！〃　cried　Richard。　　〃Is　it　you？　　Oh；　how　is　Fru　Astrida；　and　all　at　home？〃

〃Well；　my　Lord；　and　wearying　to　know　how　it　is　with　you〃　began　Walterbut　a　very　different　tone　exclaimed　from　behind　the　pilgrim；　〃What　is　all　this？　　Who　is　stopping　my　way？　　What！　　Richard　would　be　King；　and　more；　would　he？　　More　insolence！〃　　It　was　Lothaire；　returning　with　his　attendants　from　the　chase；　in　by　no　means　an　amiable　mood；　for　he　had　been　disappoint