the little duke-第14章

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rning　with　his　attendants　from　the　chase；　in　by　no　means　an　amiable　mood；　for　he　had　been　disappointed　of　his　game。

〃He　is　a　Normana　vassal　of　Richard's　own；〃　said　Carloman。

〃A　Norman；　is　he？　　I　thought　we　had　got　rid　of　the　robbers！　　We　want　no　robbers　here！　　Scourge　him　soundly；　Perron；　and　teach　him　how　to　stop　my　way！〃

〃He　is　a　pilgrim；　my　Lord；〃　suggested　one　of　the　followers。

〃I　care　not；　I'll　have　no　Normans　here；　coming　spying　in　disguise。　Scourge　him；　I　say；　dog　that　he　is！　　Away　with　him！　　A　spy；　a　spy！〃

〃No　Norman　is　scourged　in　my　sight！〃　said　Richard；　darting　forwards；　and　throwing　himself　between　Walter　and　the　woodsman；　who　was　preparing　to　obey　Lothaire；　just　in　time　to　receive　on　his　own　bare　neck　the　sharp；　cutting　leathern　thong；　which　raised　a　long　red　streak　along　its　course。　　Lothaire　laughed。

〃My　Lord　Duke！　　What　have　you　done？　　Oh；　leave　methis　befits　you　not！〃　cried　Walter；　extremely　distressed；　but　Richard　had　caught　hold　of　the　whip；　and　called　out；　〃Away；　away！　run！　haste；　haste！〃　and　the　words　were　repeated　at　once　by　Osmond；　Carloman；　and　many　of　the　French；　who；　though　afraid　to　disobey　the　Prince；　were　unwilling　to　violate　the　sanctity　of　a　pilgrim's　person；　and　the　Norman；　seeing　there　was　no　help　for　it；　obeyed：　　the　French　made　way　for　him　and　he　effected　his　escape；　while　Lothaire；　after　a　great　deal　of　storming　and　raging；　went　up　to　his　mother　to　triumph　in　the　cleverness　with　which　he　had　detected　a　Norman　spy　in　disguise。

Lothaire　was　not　far　wrong；　Walter　had　really　come　to　satisfy　himself　as　to　the　safety　of　the　little　Duke；　and　try　to　gain　an　interview　with　Osmond。　　In　the　latter　purpose　he　failed；　though　he　lingered　in　the　neighbourhood　of　Laon　for　several　days；　for　Osmond　never　left　the　Duke　for　an　instant；　and　he　was；　as　has　been　shown；　a　close　prisoner；　in　all　but　the　name；　within　the　walls　of　the　Castle。　　The　pilgrim　had；　however；　the　opportunity　of　picking　up　tidings　which　made　him　perceive　the　true　state　of　things：　　he　learnt　the　deaths　of　Sybald　and　Henry；　the　alliance　between　the　King　and　Arnulf；　and　the　restraint　and　harshness　with　which　the　Duke　was　treated；　and　with　this　intelligence　he　went　in　haste　to　Normandy。

Soon　after　his　arrival；　a　three　days'　fast　was　observed　throughout　the　dukedom；　and　in　every　church；　from　the　Cathedral　of　Bayeux　to　the　smallest　and　rudest　village　shrine；　crowds　of　worshippers　were　kneeling；　imploring；　many　of　them　with　tears；　that　God　would　look　on　them　in　His　mercy；　restore　to　them　their　Prince；　and　deliver　the　child　out　of　the　hands　of　his　enemies。　　How　earnest　and　sorrowful　were　the　prayers　offered　at　Centeville　may　well　be　imagined；　and　at　Montemar　sur　Epte　the　anxiety　was　scarcely　less。　　Indeed；　from　the　time　the　evil　tidings　arrived；　Alberic　grew　so　restless　and　unhappy；　and　so　anxious　to　do　something；　that　at　last　his　mother　set　out　with　him　on　a　pilgrimage　to　the　Abbey　of　Jumieges；　to　pray　for　the　rescue　of　his　dear　little　Duke。

In　the　meantime；　Louis　had　sent　notice　to　Laon　that　he　should　return　home　in　a　week's　time；　and　Richard　rejoiced　at　the　prospect；　for　the　King　had　always　been　less　unkind　to　him　than　the　Queen；　and　he　hoped　to　be　released　from　his　captivity　within　the　Castle。　　Just　at　this　time　he　became　very　unwell；　it　might　have　been　only　the　effect　of　the　life　of　unwonted　confinement　which　he　had　lately　led　that　was　beginning　to　tell　on　his　health；　but；　after　being　heavy　and　uncomfortable　for　a　day　or　two；　without　knowing　what　was　the　matter　with　him；　he　was　one　night　attacked　with　high　fever。

Osmond　was　dreadfully　alarmed；　knowing　nothing　at　all　of　the　treatment　of　illness；　and；　what　was　worse；　fully　persuaded　that　the　poor　child　had　been　poisoned；　and　therefore　resolved　not　to　call　any　assistance；　he　hung　over　him　all　night；　expecting　each　moment　to　see　him　expireready　to　tear　his　hair　with　despair　and　fury；　and　yet　obliged　to　restrain　himself　to　the　utmost　quietness　and　gentleness；　to　soothe　the　suffering　of　the　sick　child。

Through　that　night；　Richard　either　tossed　about　on　his　narrow　bed；　or；　when　his　restlessness　desired　the　change；　sat；　leaning　his　aching　head　on　Osmond's　breast；　too　oppressed　and　miserable　to　speak　or　think。　　When　the　day　dawned　on　them；　and　he　was　still　too　ill　to　leave　the　room；　messengers　were　sent　for　him；　and　Osmond　could　no　longer　conceal　the　fact　of　his　sickness；　but　parleyed　at　the　door；　keeping　out　every　one　he　could；　and　refusing　all　offers　of　attendance。　　He　would　not　even　admit　Carloman；　though　Richard；　hearing　his　voice；　begged　to　see　him；　and　when　a　proposal　was　sent　from　the　Queen；　that　a　skilful　old　nurse　should　visit　and　prescribe　for　the　patient；　he　refused　with　all　his　might；　and　when　he　had　shut　the　door；　walked　up　and　down；　muttering；　〃Ay；　ay；　the　witch！　coming　to　finish　what　she　has　begun！〃

All　that　day　and　the　next；　Richard　continued　very　ill；　and　Osmond　waited　on　him　very　assiduously；　never　closing　his　eyes　for　a　moment；　but　constantly　telling　his　beads　whenever　the　boy　did　not　require　his　attendance。　　At　last　Richard　fell　asleep；　slept　long　and　soundly　for　some　hours；　and　waked　much　better。　　Osmond　was　in　a　transport　of　joy：　〃Thanks　to　Heaven；　they　shall　fail　for　this　time　and　they　shall　never　have　another　chance！　　May　Heaven　be　with　us　still！〃　　Richard　was　too　weak　and　weary　to　ask　what　he　meant；　and　for　the　next　few　days　Osmond　watched　him　with　the　utmost　care。　　As　for　food；　now　that　Richard　could　eat　again；　Osmond　would　not　hear　of　his　touching　what　was　sent　for　him　from　the　royal　table；　but　always　went　down　himself　to　procure　food　in　the　kitchen；　where　he　said　he　had　a　friend　among　the　cooks；　who　would；　he　thought；　scarcely　poison　him　intentionally。　　When　Richard　was　able　to　cross　the　room；　he　insisted　on　his　always　fastening　the　door　with　his　dagger；　and　never　opening　to　any　summons　but　his　own；　not　even　Prince　Carloman's。　　Richard　wondered；　but　he　was　obliged　to　obey；　and　he　knew　enough　of　the　perils　around　him　to　perceive　the　reasonableness　of　Osmond's　caution。

Thus　several　days　had　passed；　the　King　had　returned；　and　Richard　was　so　much　recovered；　that　he　had　become　very　anxious　to　be　allowed　to　go　down　stairs　again；　instead　of　remaining　shut　up　there；　but　still　Osmond　would　not　consent；　though　Richard　had　done　nothing　all　day　but　walk　round　the　room；　to　show　how　strong　he　was。

〃Now；　my　Lord；　guard　the　doortake　care；〃　said　Osmond；　〃you　have　no　loss　to…day；　for　the　King　has　brought　home　Herluin　of　Montreuil；　whom　you　would　be　almost　as　loth　to　meet　as　the　Fleming。　　And　tell　your　beads　while　I　am　gone；　that　the　Saints　may　bring　us　out　of　our　peril。〃

Osmond　was　absent　nearly　half　an　hour；　and；　when　he　returned；　brought　on　his　shoulders　a　huge　bundle　of　straw。　　〃What　is　this　for？〃　exclaimed　Richard。　　〃I　wanted　my　supper；　and　you　have　brought　straw！〃

〃Here　is　your　supper；〃　said　Osmond；　throwing　down　the　straw；　and　producing　a　bag　with　some　bread　and　meat。　　〃What　should　you　say；　my　Lord；　if　we　should　sup　in　Normandy　to…morrow　night？〃

〃In　Normandy！〃　cried　Richard；　springing　up　and　clapping　his　hands。　〃In　Normandy！　　Oh；　Osmond；　did　you　say　in　Normandy？　　Shall　we；　shall　we　really？　　Oh；　joy！　joy！　　Is　Count　Bernard　come？　　Will　the　King　let　us　go？〃

〃Hush！　hush；　sir！　　It　must　be　our　own　doing；　it　will　all　fail　if　you　are　not　silent　and　prudent；　and　we　shall　be　undone。〃

〃I　will　do　anything　to　get　home　again！〃

〃Eat　first；〃　said　Osmond。

〃But　what　are　you　going　to　do？　　I　will　not　be　as　foolish　as　I　was　when　you　tried　to　get　me　safe　out　of　Rollo's　tower。　　But　I　should　like　to　wish　Carloman　farewell。〃

〃That　must　not　be；〃　said　Osmond；　〃we　should　not　have　time　to　escape；　if　they　did　not　still　believe　you　very　ill　in　bed。〃

〃I　am　sorry　not　to　wish　Carloman　good…bye；〃　repeated　Richard；　〃but　we　shall　see　Fru　Astrida　again；　and　Sir　Eric；　and　Alberic　must　come　back！　　Oh；　do　let　us　go！　　O　Normandy；　dear　Normandy！〃

Richard　could　hardly　eat　for　excitement；　while　Osmond　hastily　made　his　arrangements；　girding　on　his　sword；　and　giving　Richard　his　dagger　to　put　into　his　belt。　　He　placed　the　remainder　of　the　provisions　in　his　wallet；　threw　a　thick　purple　cloth　mantle　over　the　Duke；　and　then　desired　him　to　lie　down　on　the　straw　which　he　had　brought　in。　　〃I　shall　hide　you　in　it；〃　he　said；　〃and　carry　you　through　the　hall；　as　if　I　was　going　to　feed　my　horse。〃

〃Oh；　they　will　never　guess！〃　cried　Richard；　laughing。　　〃I　will　be　quite　stillI　will　make　no　noiseI　will　hold　my　breath。〃

〃Yes；　mind　you　do　not　move　hand　or　foot；　or　rustle　the　straw。　　It　is　no　playit　is　life　or　death；〃　said　Osmond；　as　he　disposed　the　straw　round　the　little　boy。　　〃There；　can　you　breathe？〃

〃Yes；〃　said　Richard's　voice　from　the　midst。　　〃Am　I　quite　hidden？〃

〃Entirely。　　Now；　remember；　whatever　happens；　do　not　move。　　May　Heaven　protect　us！　　Now；　the　Saints　be　with　us！〃

Richard；　from　the　interior　of　the　bundle　heard　Osmond　set　open　the　door；　then　he　felt　himself　raised　from　the　ground；　Osmond　was　carrying　him　along　down　the　stairs；　the　ends　of　the　straw　crushing　and　sweeping　against　the　wall。　　The　only　way　to　the　outer　door　was　through　the　hall；　and　here　was　the　danger。　　Richard　heard　voices；　steps；　loud　singing　and　laughter；　as　if　feasting　was　going　on；　then　some　one　said；　〃Tending　your　horse；　Sieur　de　Centeville？〃

〃Yes；〃　Osmond　made　answer。　　〃You　know；　since　we　lost　our　grooms；　the　poor　black　would　come　off　badly；　did　I　not　attend　to　him。〃

Presently　came　Carloman's　voice：　　〃O　Osmond　de　Centeville！　is　Richard　better？〃

〃He　is　better；　my　Lord；　I　thank　you；　but　hardly　yet　out　of　danger。〃

〃Oh；　I　wish　he　was　well！　　And　when　will　you　let　me　come　to　him；　Osmond？　　Indeed；　I　would　sit　quiet；　and　not　disturb　him。〃

〃It　may　not　be　yet；　my　Lord；　though　the　Duke　loves　you　wellhe　told　me　so　but　now。〃

〃Did　he？　　Oh；　tell　him　I　love　him　very　muchbetter　than　any　one　hereand　it　is　very　dull　without　him。　　Tell　him　so；　Osmond。〃

Richard　could　hardly　help　calling　out　to　his　dear　little　Carloman；　but　he　remembered　the　peril　of　Osmond's　eyes　and　the　Queen's　threat；　and　held　his　peace；　with　some　vague　notion　that　some　day　he　would　make　Carloman　King　of　France。　　In　the　meantime；　half　stifled　with　the　straw；　he　felt　himself　carried　on；　down　the　steps；　across　the　court；　and　then　he　knew；　from　the　darkness　and　the　changed　sound　of　Osmond's　tread；　that　they　were　in　the　stable。　　Osmond　laid　him　carefully　down；　and　whispered〃All　right　so　far。　　You　can　breathe？〃

〃Not　well。　　Can't　you　let　me　out？〃

〃Not　yetnot　for　worlds。　　Now　tell　me　if　I　put　you　face　downwards；　for　I　cannot　see。〃

He　laid　the　living　heap　of　straw　across　the　saddle；　bound　it　on；　then　led　out　the　horse；　gazing　round　cautiously　as　he　did　so；　but　the　whole　of　the　people　of　the　Castle　were　feasting；　and　there　was　no　one　to　watch　the　gates。　　Richard　heard　the　hollow　sound　of　the　hoofs；　as　the　drawbridge　was　crossed；　and　knew　that　he　was　free；　but　still　Osmond　held　his　arm　over　him；　and　would　not　let　him　move；　for　some　distance。　　Then；　just　as　Richard　felt　as　if　he　could　endure　the　stifling　of　the　straw；　and　his　uncomfortable　position；　not　a　moment　longer；　Osmond　stopped　the　horse；　took　him　down；　laid　him　on　the　grass；　and　released　him。　　He　gazed　around；　they　were　in　a　little　wood；　evening　twilight　was　just　coming　on；　and　th