the little duke-第1章

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The　Little　Duke

by　Charlotte　M。　Yonge








CHAPTER　I


On　a　bright　autumn　day；　as　long　ago　as　the　year　943；　there　was　a　great　bustle　in　the　Castle　of　Bayeux　in　Normandy。

The　hall　was　large　and　low；　the　roof　arched；　and　supported　on　thick　short　columns；　almost　like　the　crypt　of　a　Cathedral；　the　walls　were　thick；　and　the　windows；　which　had　no　glass；　were　very　small；　set　in　such　a　depth　of　wall　that　there　was　a　wide　deep　window　seat；　upon　which　the　rain　might　beat；　without　reaching　the　interior　of　the　room。　And　even　if　it　had　come　in；　there　was　nothing　for　it　to　hurt；　for　the　walls　were　of　rough　stone；　and　the　floor　of　tiles。　　There　was　a　fire　at　each　end　of　this　great　dark　apartment；　but　there　were　no　chimneys　over　the　ample　hearths；　and　the　smoke　curled　about　in　thick　white　folds　in　the　vaulted　roof；　adding　to　the　wreaths　of　soot；　which　made　the　hall　look　still　darker。

The　fire　at　the　lower　end　was　by　far　the　largest　and　hottest。　　Great　black　cauldrons　hung　over　it；　and　servants；　both　men　and　women；　with　red　faces；　bare　and　grimed　arms；　and　long　iron　hooks；　or　pots　and　pans；　were　busied　around　it。　　At　the　other　end；　which　was　raised　about　three　steps　above　the　floor　of　the　hall；　other　servants　were　engaged。　　Two　young　maidens　were　strewing　fresh　rushes　on　the　floor；　some　men　were　setting　up　a　long　table　of　rough　boards；　supported　on　trestles；　and　then　ranging　upon　it　silver　cups；　drinking　horns；　and　wooden　trenchers。

Benches　were　placed　to　receive　most　of　the　guests；　but　in　the　middle；　at　the　place　of　honour；　was　a　high　chair　with　very　thick　crossing　legs；　and　the　arms　curiously　carved　with　lions'　faces　and　claws；　a　clumsy　wooden　footstool　was　set　in　front；　and　the　silver　drinking…cup　on　the　table　was　of　far　more　beautiful　workmanship　than　the　others；　richly　chased　with　vine　leaves　and　grapes；　and　figures　of　little　boys　with　goats'　legs。　　If　that　cup　could　have　told　its　story；　it　would　have　been　a　strange　one；　for　it　had　been　made　long　since；　in　the　old　Roman　times；　and　been　carried　off　from　Italy　by　some　Northman　pirate。

From　one　of　these　scenes　of　activity　to　the　other；　there　moved　a　stately　old　lady：　　her　long　thick　light　hair；　hardly　touched　with　grey；　was　bound　round　her　head；　under　a　tall　white　cap；　with　a　band　passing　under　her　chin：　　she　wore　a　long　sweeping　dark　robe；　with　wide　hanging　sleeves；　and　thick　gold　ear…rings　and　necklace；　which　had　possibly　come　from　the　same　quarter　as　the　cup。　　She　directed　the　servants；　inspected　both　the　cookery　and　arrangements　of　the　table；　held　council　with　an　old　steward；　now　and　then　looked　rather　anxiously　from　the　window；　as　if　expecting　some　one；　and　began　to　say　something　about　fears　that　these　loitering　youths　would　not　bring　home　the　venison　in　time　for　Duke　William's　supper。

Presently；　she　looked　up　rejoiced；　for　a　few　notes　of　a　bugle…horn　were　sounded；　there　was　a　clattering　of　feet；　and　in　a　few　moments　there　bounded　into　the　hall；　a　boy　of　about　eight　years　old；　his　cheeks　and　large　blue　eyes　bright　with　air　and　exercise；　and　his　long　light…brown　hair　streaming　behind　him；　as　he　ran　forward　flourishing　a　bow　in　his　hand；　and　crying　out；　〃I　hit　him；　I　hit　him！　　Dame　Astrida；　do　you　hear？　　'Tis　a　stag　of　ten　branches；　and　I　hit　him　in　the　neck。〃

〃You！　my　Lord　Richard！　you　killed　him？〃

〃Oh；　no；　I　only　struck　him。　　It　was　Osmond's　shaft　that　took　him　in　the　eye；　andLook　you；　Fru　Astrida；　he　came　thus　through　the　wood；　and　I　stood　here；　it　might　be；　under　the　great　elm　with　my　bow　thus〃…　…And　Richard　was　beginning　to　act　over　again　the　whole　scene　of　the　deer…hunt；　but　Fru；　that　is　to　say；　Lady　Astrida；　was　too　busy　to　listen；　and　broke　in　with；　〃Have　they　brought　home　the　haunch？〃

〃Yes；　Walter　is　bringing　it。　　I　had　a　long　arrow〃

A　stout　forester　was　at　this　instant　seen　bringing　in　the　venison；　and　Dame　Astrida　hastened　to　meet　it；　and　gave　directions；　little　Richard　following　her　all　the　way；　and　talking　as　eagerly　as　if　she　was　attending　to　him；　showing　how　he　shot；　how　Osmond　shot；　how　the　deer　bounded；　and　how　it　fell；　and　then　counting　the　branches　of　its　antlers；　always　ending　with；　〃This　is　something　to　tell　my　father。　Do　you　think　he　will　come　soon？〃

In　the　meantime　two　men　entered　the　hall；　one　about　fifty；　the　other；　one　or　two…and…twenty；　both　in　hunting　dresses　of　plain　leather；　crossed　by　broad　embroidered　belts；　supporting　a　knife；　and　a　bugle…　horn。　　The　elder　was　broad…shouldered；　sun…burnt；　ruddy；　and　rather　stern…looking；　the　younger；　who　was　also　the　taller；　was　slightly　made；　and　very　active；　with　a　bright　keen　grey　eye；　and　merry　smile。　These　were　Dame　Astrida's　son；　Sir　Eric　de　Centeville；　and　her　grandson；　Osmond；　and　to　their　care　Duke　William　of　Normandy　had　committed　his　only　child；　Richard；　to　be　fostered；　or　brought　up。　｛1｝

It　was　always　the　custom　among　the　Northmen；　that　young　princes　should　thus　be　put　under　the　care　of　some　trusty　vassal；　instead　of　being　brought　up　at　home；　and　one　reason　why　the　Centevilles　had　been　chosen　by　Duke　William　was；　that　both　Sir　Eric　and　his　mother　spoke　only　the　old　Norwegian　tongue；　which　he　wished　young　Richard　to　understand　well；　whereas；　in　other　parts　of　the　Duchy；　the　Normans　had　forgotten　their　own　tongue；　and　had　taken　up　what　was　then　called　the　Langued'oui；　a　language　between　German　and　Latin；　which　was　the　beginning　of　French。

On　this　day；　Duke　William　himself　was　expected　at　Bayeux；　to　pay　a　visit　to　his　son　before　setting　out　on　a　journey　to　settle　the　disputes　between　the　Counts　of　Flanders　and　Montreuil；　and　this　was　the　reason　of　Fru　Astrida's　great　preparations。　　No　sooner　had　she　seen　the　haunch　placed　upon　a　spit；　which　a　little　boy　was　to　turn　before　the　fire；　than　she　turned　to　dress　something　else；　namely；　the　young　Prince　Richard　himself；　whom　she　led　off　to　one　of　the　upper　rooms；　and　there　he　had　full　time　to　talk；　while　she；　great　lady　though　she　was；　herself　combed　smooth　his　long　flowing　curls；　and　fastened　his　short　scarlet　cloth　tunic；　which　just　reached　to　his　knee；　leaving　his　neck；　arms；　and　legs　bare。　　He　begged　hard　to　be　allowed　to　wear　a　short；　beautifully　ornamented　dagger　at　his　belt；　but　this　Fru　Astrida　would　not　allow。

〃You　will　have　enough　to　do　with　steel　and　dagger　before　your　life　is　at　an　end；〃　said　she；　〃without　seeking　to　begin　over　soon。〃

〃To　be　sure　I　shall；〃　answered　Richard。　　〃I　will　be　called　Richard　of　the　Sharp　Axe；　or　the　Bold　Spirit；　I　promise　you；　Fru　Astrida。　　We　are　as　brave　in　these　days　as　the　Sigurds　and　Ragnars　you　sing　of！　　I　only　wish　there　were　serpents　and　dragons　to　slay　here　in　Normandy。〃

〃Never　fear　but　you　will　find　even　too　many　of　them；〃　said　Dame　Astrida；　〃there　be　dragons　of　wrong　here　and　everywhere；　quite　as　venomous　as　any　in　my　Sagas。〃

〃I　fear　them　not；〃　said　Richard；　but　half　understanding　her；　〃if　you　would　only　let　me　have　the　dagger！　　But；　hark！　hark！〃　he　darted　to　the　window。　　〃They　come；　they　come！　　There　is　the　banner　of　Normandy。〃

Away　ran　the　happy　child；　and　never　rested　till　he　stood　at　the　bottom　of　the　long；　steep；　stone　stair；　leading　to　the　embattled　porch。　　Thither　came　the　Baron　de　Centeville；　and　his　son；　to　receive　their　Prince。　　Richard　looked　up　at　Osmond；　saying；　〃Let　me　hold　his　stirrup；〃　and　then　sprang　up　and　shouted　for　joy；　as　under　the　arched　gateway　there　came　a　tall　black　horse；　bearing　the　stately　form　of　the　Duke　of　Normandy。　　His　purple　robe　was　fastened　round　him　by　a　rich　belt；　sustaining　the　mighty　weapon；　from　which　he　was　called　〃William　of　the　long　Sword；〃　his　legs　and　feet　were　cased　in　linked　steel　chain…work；　his　gilded　spurs　were　on　his　heels；　and　his　short　brown　hair　was　covered　by　his　ducal　cap　of　purple；　turned　up　with　fur；　and　a　feather　fastened　in　by　a　jewelled　clasp。　　His　brow　was　grave　and　thoughtful；　and　there　was　something　both　of　dignity　and　sorrow　in　his　face；　at　the　first　moment　of　looking　at　it；　recalling　the　recollection　that　he　had　early　lost　his　young　wife；　the　Duchess　Emma；　and　that　he　was　beset　by　many　cares　and　toils；　but　the　next　glance　generally　conveyed　encouragement；　so　full　of　mildness　were　his　eyes；　and　so　kind　the　expression　of　his　lips。

And　now；　how　bright　a　smile　beamed　upon　the　little　Richard；　who；　for　the　first　time；　paid　him　the　duty　of　a　pupil　in　chivalry；　by　holding　the　stirrup　while　he　sprung　from　his　horse。　　Next；　Richard　knelt　to　receive　his　blessing；　which　was　always　the　custom　when　children　met　their　parents。　　The　Duke　laid　his　hand　on　his　head；　saying；　〃God　of　His　mercy　bless　thee；　my　son；〃　and　lifting　him　in　his　arms；　held　him　to　his　breast；　and　let　him　cling　to　his　neck　and　kiss　him　again　and　again；　before　setting　him　down；　while　Sir　Eric　came　forward；　bent　his　knee；　kissed　the　hand　of　his　Prince；　and　welcomed　him　to　his　Castle。

It　would　take　too　long　to　tell　all　the　friendly　and　courteous　words　that　were　spoken；　the　greeting　of　the　Duke　and　the　noble　old　Lady　Astrida；　and　the　reception　of　the　Barons　who　had　come　in　the　train　of　their　Lord。　　Richard　was　bidden　to　greet　them；　but；　though　he　held　out　his　hand　as　desired；　he　shrank　a　little　to　his　father's　side；　gazing　at　them　in　dread　and　shyness。

There　was　Count　Bernard；　of　Harcourt；　called　the　〃Dane；〃　｛2｝　with　his　shaggy　red　hair　and　beard；　to　which　a　touch　of　grey　had　given　a　strange　unnatural　tint；　his　eyes　looking　fierce　and　wild　under　his　thick　eyebrows；　one　of　them　mis…shapen　in　consequence　of　a　sword　cut；　which　had　left　a　broad　red　and　purple　scar　across　both　cheek　and　forehead。　　There；　too；　came　tall　Baron　Rainulf；　of　Ferrieres；　cased　in　a　linked　steel　hauberk；　that　rang　as　he　walked；　and　the　men…at…　arms；　with　helmets　and　shields；　looking　as　if　Sir　Eric's　armour　that　hung　in　the　hail　had　come　to　life　and　was　walking　about。

They　sat　down　to　Fru　Astrida's　banquet；　the　old　Lady　at　the　Duke's　right　hand；　and　the　Count　of　Harcourt　on　his　left；　Osmond　carved　for　the　Duke；　and　Richard　handed　his　cup　and　trencher。　　All　through　the　meal；　the　Duke　and　his　Lords　talked　earnestly　of　the　expedition　on　which　they　were　bound　to　meet　Count　Arnulf　of　Flanders；　on　a　little　islet　in　the　river　Somme；　there　to　come　to　some　agreement；　by　which　Arnulf　might　make　restitution　to　Count　Herluin　of　Montreuil；　for　certain　wrongs　which　he　had　done　him。

Some　said　that　this　would　be　the　fittest　time　for　requiring　Arnulf　to　yield　up　some　towns　on　his　borders；　to　which　Normandy　had　long　laid　claim；　but　the　Duke　shook　his　head；　saying　that　he　must　seek　no　selfish　advantage；　when　called　to　judge　between　others。

Richard　was　rather　tired　of　their　grave　talk；　and　thought　the　supper　very　long；　but　at　last　it　was　over；　the　Grace　was　said；　the　boards　which　had　served　for　tables　were　removed；　and　as　it　was　still　light；　some　of　the　guests　went　to　see　how　their　steeds　had　been　bestowed；　others　to　look　at　Sir　Eric's　horses　and　hounds；　and　others　collected　together　in　groups。

The　Duke　had　time　to　attend　to　his　little　boy；　and　Richard　sat　upon　his　knee　and　talked；　told　about　all　his　pleasures；　how　his　arrow　had　hit　the　deer　to…day；　how　Sir　Eric　let　him　ride　out　to　the　chase　on　his　little　pony；　how　Osmond　would　take　him　to　bathe　in　the　cool　bright　river；　and　how　he　had　watched　the　raven's　nest　in　the　top　of　the　old　tower。

Duke　William　listened；　and　smiled；　and