the little duke-第19章

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〃Where　my　blessed　father　is；〃　said　Richard；　thoughtfully。　　〃But　oh；　Carloman；　you　are　so　young　to　die！〃

〃I　do　not　want　to　live。　　This　is　a　fighting；　hard　world；　full　of　cruel　people；　and　it　is　peace　there。　　You　are　strong　and　brave；　and　will　make　them　better；　but　I　am　weak　and　fearfulI　could　only　sigh　and　grieve。〃

〃Oh；　Carloman！　　Carloman！　　I　cannot　spare　you。　　I　love　you　like　my　own　brother。　　You　must　not　dieyou　must　live　to　see　your　father　and　mother　again！〃

〃Commend　me　to　them；〃　said　Carloman。　　〃I　am　going　to　my　Father　in　heaven。　　I　am　glad　I　am　here；　Richard；　I　never　was　so　happy　before。　I　should　have　been　afraid　indeed　to　die；　if　Father　Lucas　had　not　taught　me　how　my　sins　are　pardoned。　　Now；　I　think　the　Saints　and　Angels　are　waiting　for　me。〃

He　spoke　feebly；　and　his　last　words　faltered　into　sleep。　　He　slept　on；　and　when　supper　was　brought；　and　the　lamps　were　lighted；　Fru　Astrida　thought　the　little　face　looked　unusually　pale　and　waxen；　but　he　did　not　awake。　　At　night；　they　carried　him　to　his　bed；　and　he　was　roused　into　a　half　conscious　state；　moaning　at　being　disturbed。　　Fru　Astrida　would　not　leave　him；　and　Father　Lucas　shared　her　watch。

At　midnight；　all　were　wakened　by　the　slow　notes；　falling　one　by　one　on　the　ear；　of　the　solemn　passing…bell；　calling　them　to　waken；　that　their　prayers　might　speed　a　soul　on　its　way。　　Richard　and　Lothaire　were　soon　at　the　bedside。　　Carloman　lay　still　asleep；　his　hands　folded　on　his　breast；　but　his　breath　came　in　long　gasps。　　Father　Lucas　was　praying　over　him；　and　candles　were　placed　on　each　side　of　the　bed。　　All　was　still；　the　boys　not　daring　to　speak　or　move。　　There　came　a　longer　breaththen　they　heard　no　more。　　He　was；　indeed；　gone　to　a　happier　homea　truer　royalty　than　ever　had　been　his　on　earth。

Then　the　boys'　grief　burst　out。　　Lothaire　screamed　for　his　mother；　and　sobbed　out　that　he　should　die　toohe　must　go　home。　　Richard　stood　by　the　bed；　large　silent　tears　rolling　down　his　cheeks；　and　his　chest　heaving　with　suppressed　sobs。

Fru　Astrida　led　them　from　the　room；　back　to　their　beds。　　Lothaire　soon　cried　himself　to　sleep。　　Richard　lay　awake；　sorrowful；　and　in　deep　thought；　while　that　scene　in　St。　Mary's；　at　Rouen；　returned　before　his　eyes；　and　though　it　had　passed　nearly　two　years　ago；　its　meaning　and　its　teaching　had　sunk　deep　into　his　mind；　and　now　stood　before　him　more　completely。

〃Where　shall　I　go；　when　I　come　to　die；　if　I　have　not　returned　good　for　evil？〃　　And　a　resolution　was　taken　in　the　mind　of　the　little　Duke。

Morning　came；　and　brought　back　the　sense　that　his　gentle　little　companion　was　gone　from　him；　and　Richard　wept　again；　as　if　he　could　not　be　consoled；　as　he　beheld　the　screened　couch　where　the　patient　smile　would　never　again　greet　him。　　He　now　knew　that　he　had　loved　Carloman　all　the　more　for　his　weakness　and　helplessness；　but　his　grief　was　not　like　Lothaire's；　for　with　the　Prince's　was　still　joined　a　selfish　fear：　　his　cry　was　still；　that　he　should　die　too；　if　not　set　free；　and　violent　weeping　really　made　him　heavy　and　ill。

The　little　corpse；　embalmed　and　lapped　in　lead；　was　to　be　sent　back　to　France；　that　it　might　rest　with　its　forefathers　in　the　city　of　Rheims；　and　Lothaire　seemed　to　feel　this　as　an　additional　stroke　of　desertion。　　He　was　almost　beside　himself　with　despair；　imploring　every　one；　in　turn；　to　send　him　home；　though　he　well　knew　they　were　unable　to　do　so。



CHAPTER　XII



〃Sir　Eric；〃　said　Richard；　〃you　told　me　there　was　a　Parlement　to　be　held　at　Falaise；　between　Count　Bernard　and　the　King　of　Denmark。　　I　mean　to　attend　it。　　Will　you　come　with　me；　or　shall　Osmond　go；　and　you　remain　in　charge　of　the　Prince？〃

〃How　now；　Lord　Richard；　you　were　not　wont　to　love　a　Parlement？〃

〃I　have　something　to　say；〃　replied　Richard。　　The　Baron　made　no　objection；　only　telling　his　mother　that　the　Duke　was　a　marvellous　wise　child；　and　that　he　would　soon　be　fit　to　take　the　government　himself。

Lothaire　lamented　the　more　when　he　found　that　Richard　was　going　away；　his　presence　seemed　to　him　a　protection；　and　he　fancied；　now　Carloman　was　dead；　that　his　former　injuries　were　about　to　be　revenged。　　The　Duke　assured　him；　repeatedly；　that　he　meant　him　nothing　but　kindness；　adding；　〃When　I　return；　you　will　see；　Lothaire；〃　then；　commending　him　to　the　care　and　kindness　of　Fru　Astrida；　Osmond；　and　Alberic；　Richard　set　forth　upon　his　pony；　attended　by　Sir　Eric　and　three　men…at…arms。

Richard　felt　sad　when　he　looked　back　at　Bayeux；　and　thought　that　it　no　longer　contained　his　dear　little　friend；　but　it　was　a　fresh　bright　frosty　morning；　the　fields　were　covered　with　a　silvery…white　coating；　the　flakes　of　hoar…frost　sparkled　on　every　bush；　and　the　hard　ground　rung　cheerily　to　the　tread　of　the　horses'　feet。　　As　the　yellow　sun　fought　his　way　through　the　grey　mists　that　dimmed　his　brightness；　and　shone　out　merrily　in　the　blue　heights　of　the　sky；　Richard's　spirits　rose；　and　he　laughed　and　shouted；　as　hare　or　rabbit　rushed　across　the　heath；　or　as　the　plover　rose　screaming　above　his　head；　flapping　her　broad　wings　across　the　wintry　sky。

One　night　they　slept　at　a　Convent；　where　they　heard　that　Hugh　of　Paris　had　passed　on　to　join　the　conference　at　Falaise。　　The　next　day　they　rode　on；　and；　towards　the　afternoon；　the　Baron　pointed　to　a　sharp　rocky　range　of　hills；　crowned　by　a　tall　solid　tower；　and　told　Richard；　yonder　was　his　keep　of　Falaise；　the　strongest　Castle　in　Normandy。

The　country　was　far　more　broken　as　they　advancednarrow　valleys　and　sharp　hills；　each　little　vale　full　of　wood；　and　interspersed　with　rocks。　　〃A　choice　place　for　game；〃　Sir　Eric　said　and　Richard；　as　he　saw　a　herd　of　deer　dash　down　a　forest　glade；　exclaimed；　〃that　they　must　come　here　to　stay；　for　some　autumn　sport。〃

There　seemed　to　be　huntsmen　abroad　in　the　woods；　for　through　the　frosty　air　came　the　baying　of　dogs；　the　shouts　and　calls　of　men；　and；　now　and　then；　the　echoing；　ringing　notes　of　a　bugle。　　Richard's　eyes　and　cheeks　glowed　with　excitement；　and　he　pushed　his　brisk　little　pony　on　faster　and　faster；　unheeding　that　the　heavier　men　and　horses　of　his　suite　were　not　keeping　pace　with　him　on　the　rough　ground　and　through　the　tangled　boughs。

Presently；　a　strange　sound　of　growling　and　snarling　was　heard　close　at　hand：　　his　pony　swerved　aside；　and　could　not　be　made　to　advance；　so　Richard；　dismounting；　dashed　through　some　briars；　and　there；　on　an　open　space；　beneath　a　precipice　of　dark　ivy…covered　rock；　that　rose　like　a　wall；　he　beheld　a　huge　grey　wolf　and　a　large　dog　in　mortal　combat。　　It　was　as　if　they　had　fallen　or　rolled　down　the　precipice　together；　not　heeding　it　in　their　fury。　　Both　were　bleeding；　and　the　eyes　of　both　glared　like　red　fiery　glass　in　the　dark　shadow　of　the　rock。　　The　dog　lay　undermost；　almost　overpowered；　making　but　a　feeble　resistance；　and　the　wolf　would；　in　another　moment；　be　at　liberty　to　spring　on　the　lonely　child。

But　not　a　thought　of　fear　passed　through　his　breast；　to　save　the　dog　was　Richard's　only　idea。　　In　one　moment　he　had　drawn　the　dagger　he　wore　at　his　girdle；　ran　to　the　two　struggling　animals；　and　with　all　his　force；　plunged　it　into　the　throat　of　the　wolf；　which；　happily；　was　still　held　by　the　teeth　of　the　hound。

The　struggles　relaxed；　the　wolf　rolled　heavily　aside；　dead；　the　dog　lay　panting　and　bleeding；　and　Richard　feared　he　was　cruelly　torn。　〃Poor　fellow！　noble　dog！　what　shall　I　do　to　help　you？〃　and　he　gently　smoothed　the　dark　brindled　head。

A　voice　was　now　heard　shouting　aloud；　at　which　the　dog　raised　and　crested　his　head；　as　a　figure　in　a　hunting　dress　was　coming　down　a　rocky　pathway；　an　extremely　tall；　well…made　man；　of　noble　features。　〃Ha！　holla！　　Vige！　　Vige！　　How　now；　my　brave　hound？〃　he　said　in　the　Northern　tongue；　though　not　quite　with　the　accent　Richard　was　accustomed　to　hear　〃Art　hurt？〃

〃Much　torn；　I　fear；〃　Richard　called　out；　as　the　faithful　creature　wagged　his　tail；　and　strove　to　rise　and　meet　his　master。

〃Ha；　lad！　what　art　thou？〃　exclaimed　the　hunter；　amazed　at　seeing　the　boy　between　the　dead　wolf　and　wounded　dog。　　〃You　look　like　one　of　those　Frenchified　Norman　gentilesse；　with　your　smooth　locks　and　gilded　baldrick；　yet　your　words　are　Norse。　　By　the　hammer　of　Thor！　that　is　a　dagger　in　the　wolf's　throat！〃

〃It　is　mine；〃　said　Richard。　　〃I　found　your　dog　nearly　spent；　and　I　made　in　to　the　rescue。〃

〃You　did？　　Well　done！　　I　would　not　have　lost　Vige　for　all　the　plunder　of　Italy。　　I　am　beholden　to　you；　my　brave　young　lad；〃　said　the　stranger；　all　the　time　examining　and　caressing　the　hound。　　〃What　is　your　name？　　You　cannot　be　Southern　bred？〃

As　he　spoke；　more　shouts　came　near；　and　the　Baron　de　Centeville　rushed　through　the　trees　holding　Richard's　pony　by　the　bridle。　　〃My　Lord；　my　Lord！oh；　thank　Heaven；　I　see　you　safe！〃　　At　the　same　moment　a　party　of　hunters　also　approached　by　the　path；　and　at　the　head　of　them　Bernard　the　Dane。

〃Ha！〃　exclaimed　he；　〃what　do　I　see？　　My　young　Lord！　what　brought　you　here？〃　　And　with　a　hasty　obeisance；　Bernard　took　Richard's　outstretched　hand。

〃I　came　hither　to　attend　your　council；〃　replied　Richard。　　〃I　have　a　boon　to　ask　of　the　King　of　Denmark。〃

〃Any　boon　the　King　of　Denmark　has　in　his　power　will　be　yours；〃　said　the　dog's　master；　slapping　his　hand　on　the　little　Duke's　shoulder；　with　a　rude；　hearty　familiarity；　that　took　him　by　surprise；　and　he　looked　up　with　a　shade　of　offence；　till；　on　a　sudden　flash　of　perception；　he　took　off　his　cap；　exclaiming；　〃King　Harald　himself！　Pardon　me；　Sir　King！〃

〃Pardon；　Jarl　Richart！　　What　would　you　have　me　pardon？your　saving　the　life　of　Vige　here？　　No　French　politeness　for　me。　　Tell　me　your　boon；　and　it　is　yours。　　Shall　I　take　you　a　voyage；　and　harry　the　fat　monks　of　Ireland？〃

Richard　recoiled　a　little　from　his　new　friend。

〃Oh；　ha！　　I　forgot。　　They　have　made　a　Christian　of　youmore's　the　pity。　　You　have　the　Northern　spirit　so　strong。　　I　had　forgotten　it。　Come；　walk　by　my　side；　and　let　me　hear　what　you　would　ask。　　Holla；　you　Sweyn！　carry　Vige　up　to　the　Castle；　and　look　to　his　wounds。　　Now　for　it；　young　Jarl。〃

〃My　boon　is；　that　you　would　set　free　Prince　Lothaire。〃

〃What？the　young　Frank？　　Why　they　kept　you　captive；　burnt　your　face；　and　would　have　made　an　end　of　you　but　for　your　clever　Bonder。〃

〃That　is　long　past；　and　Lothaire　is　so　wretched。　　His　brother　is　dead；　and　he　is　sick　with　grief；　and　he　says　he　shall　die；　if　he　does　not　go　home。〃

〃A　good　thing　too　for　the　treacherous　race　to　die　out　in　him！　　What　should　you　care　for　him？　he　is　your　foe。〃

〃I　am　a　Christian；〃　was　Richard's　answer。

〃Well；　I　promised　you　whatever　you　might　ask。　　All　my　share　of　his　ransom；　or　his　person；　bond　or　free；　is　yours。　　You　have　only　to　prevail　with　your　own　Jarls　and　Bonders。〃

Richard　feared　this　would　be　more　difficult；　but　Abbot　Martin　came　to　the　meeting；　and　took　his　part。　　Moreover；　the　idea　of　their　hostage　dying　in　their　hands；　so　as　to　leave　them　without　hold　upon　the　King；　had　much　weight　with　them；　and；　after　long　deliberation；　they　consented　that　Lothaire　should　be　restored　to　his　father；　without　ransom　but　only　on　condition　that　Louis　should　guarantee　to　the　Duke　the　peaceable　possession　of　the　country；　as　far　as　St。　Clair　sur　Epte；　which　had　been　long　in　dispute；　so　that　Alberic　became；　indisputably；　a　vassal　of　Normandy。

Perhaps　it　was　the　happiest　day