the little duke-第5章

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　bent　in　compassion　on　the　orphan　child；　many　a　strong　voice　faltered　with　earnestness　as　it　pronounced　the　vow；　and　many　a　brave；　stalwart　heart　heaved　with　grief　for　the　murdered　father；　and　tears　flowed　down　the　war…worn　cheeks　which　had　met　the　fiercest　storms　of　the　northern　ocean；　as　they　bent　before　the　young　fatherless　boy；　whom　they　loved　for　the　sake　of　his　conquering　grandfather；　and　his　brave　and　pious　father。　　Few　Normans　were　there　whose　hearts　did　not　glow　at　the　touch　of　those　small　hands；　with　a　love　almost　of　a　parent；　for　their　young　Duke。

The　ceremony　of　receiving　homage　lasted　long　and　Richard；　though　interested　and　touched　at　first；　grew　very　weary；　the　crown　and　mantle　were　so　heavy；　the　faces　succeeded　each　other　like　figures　in　an　endless　dream；　and　the　constant　repetition　of　the　same　words　was　very　tedious。　　He　grew　sleepy；　he　longed　to　jump　up；　to　lean　to　the　right　or　left；　or　to　speak　something　besides　that　regular　form。　　He　gave　one　great　yawn；　but　it　brought　him　such　a　frown　from　the　stern　face　of　Bernard；　as　quite　to　wake　him　for　a　few　minutes；　and　make　him　sit　upright；　and　receive　the　next　vassal　with　as　much　attention　as　he　had　shown　the　first；　but　he　looked　imploringly　at　Sir　Eric；　as　if　to　ask　if　it　ever　would　be　over。　　At　last；　far　down　among　the　Barons；　came　one　at　whose　sight　Richard　revived　a　little。　　It　was　a　boy　only　a　few　years　older　than　himself；　perhaps　about　ten；　with　a　pleasant　brown　face；　black　hair；　and　quick　black　eyes　which　glanced；　with　a　look　between　friendliness　and　respect；　up　into　the　little　Duke's　gazing　face。　　Richard　listened　eagerly　for　his　name；　and　was　refreshed　at　the　sound　of　the　boyish　voice　which　pronounced；　〃I；　Alberic　de　Montemar；　am　thy　liegeman　and　vassal　for　my　castle　and　barony　of　Montemar　sur　Epte。〃

When　Alberic　moved　away；　Richard　followed　him　with　his　eye　as　far　as　he　could　to　his　place　in　the　Cathedral；　and　was　taken　by　surprise　when　he　found　the　next　Baron　kneeling　before　him。

The　ceremony　of　homage　came　to　an　end　at　last；　and　Richard　would　fain　have　run　all　the　way　to　the　palace　to　shake　off　his　weariness；　but　he　was　obliged　to　head　the　procession　again；　and　even　when　he　reached　the　castle　hall　his　toils　were　not　over；　for　there　was　a　great　state　banquet　spread　out；　and　he　had　to　sit　in　the　high　chair　where　he　remembered　climbing　on　his　father's　knee　last　Christmas…day；　all　the　time　that　the　Barons　feasted　round；　and　held　grave　converse。　Richard's　best　comfort　all　this　time　was　in　watching　Osmond　de　Centeville　and　Alberic　de　Montemar；　who；　with　the　other　youths　who　were　not　yet　knighted；　were　waiting　on　those　who　sat　at　the　table。　At　last　he　grew　so　very　weary；　that　he　fell　fast　asleep　in　the　corner　of　his　chair；　and　did　not　wake　till　he　was　startled　by　the　rough　voice　of　Bernard　de　Harcourt；　calling　him　to　rouse　up；　and　bid　the　Duke　of　Brittany　farewell。

〃Poor　child！〃　said　Duke　Alan；　as　Richard　rose　up；　startled；　〃he　is　over…wearied　with　this　day's　work。　　Take　care　of　him；　Count　Bernard；　thou　a　kindly　nurse；　but　a　rough　one　for　such　a　babe。　　Ha！　my　young　Lord；　your　colour　mantles　at　being　called　a　babe！　　I　crave　your　pardon；　for　you　are　a　fine　spirit。　　And　hark　you；　Lord　Richard　of　Normandy；　I　have　little　cause　to　love　your　race；　and　little　right；　I　trow；　had　King　Charles　the　Simple　to　call　us　free　Bretons　liegemen　to　a　race　of　plundering　Northern　pirates。　　To　Duke　Rollo's　might；　my　father　never　gave　his　homage；　nay；　nor　did　I　yield　it　for　all　Duke　William's　long　sword；　but　I　did　pay　it　to　his　generosity　and　forbearance；　and　now　I　grant　it　to　thy　weakness　and　to　his　noble　memory。　　I　doubt　not　that　the　recreant　Frank；　Louis；　whom　he　restored　to　his　throne；　will　strive　to　profit　by　thy　youth　and　helplessness；　and　should　that　be；　remember　that　thou　hast　no　surer　friend　than　Alan　of　Brittany。　　Fare　thee　well；　my　young　Duke。〃

〃Farewell；　Sir；〃　said　Richard；　willingly　giving　his　hand　to　be　shaken　by　his　kind　vassal；　and　watching　him　as　Sir　Eric　attended　him　from　the　hall。

〃Fair　words；　but　I　trust　not　the　Breton；〃　muttered　Bernard；　〃hatred　is　deeply　ingrained　in　them。〃

〃He　should　know　what　the　Frank　King　is　made　of；〃　said　Rainulf　de　Ferrieres；　〃he　was　bred　up　with　him　in　the　days　that　they　were　both　exiles　at　the　court　of　King　Ethelstane　of　England。〃

〃Ay；　and　thanks　to　Duke　William　that　either　Louis　or　Alan　are　not　exiles　still。　　Now　we　shall　see　whose　gratitude　is　worth　most；　the　Frank's　or　the　Breton's。　　I　suspect　the　Norman　valour　will　be　the　best　to　trust　to。〃

〃Yes；　and　how　will　Norman　valour　prosper　without　treasure？　　Who　knows　what　gold　is　in　the　Duke's　coffers？〃

There　was　some　consultation　here　in　a　low　voice；　and　the　next　thing　Richard　heard　distinctly　was；　that　one　of　the　Nobles　held　up　a　silver　chain　and　key；　｛9｝　saying　that　they　had　been　found　on　the　Duke's　neck；　and　that　he　had　kept　them；　thinking　that　they　doubtless　led　to　something　of　importance。

〃Oh；　yes！〃　said　Richard；　eagerly；　〃I　know　it。　　He　told　me　it　was　the　key　to　his　greatest　treasure。〃

The　Normans　heard　this　with　great　interest；　and　it　was　resolved　that　several　of　the　most　trusted　persons；　among　whom　were　the　Archbishop　of　Rouen；　Abbot　Martin　of　Jumieges；　and　the　Count　of　Harcourt；　should　go　immediately　in　search　of　this　precious　hoard。　　Richard　accompanied　them　up　the　narrow　rough　stone　stairs；　to　the　large　dark　apartment；　where　his　father　had　slept。　　Though　a　Prince's　chamber；　it　had　little　furniture；　a　low　uncurtained　bed；　a　Cross　on　a　ledge　near　its　head；　a　rude　table；　a　few　chairs；　and　two　large　chests；　were　all　it　contained。　　Harcourt　tried　the　lid　of　one　of　the　chests：　　it　opened；　and　proved　to　be　full　of　wearing　apparel；　he　went　to　the　other；　which　was　smaller；　much　more　carved；　and　ornamented　with　very　handsome　iron…work。　　It　was　locked；　and　putting　in　the　key；　it　fitted；　the　lock　turned；　and　the　chest　was　opened。　　The　Normans　pressed　eagerly　to　see　their　Duke's　greatest　treasure。

It　was　a　robe　of　serge；　and　a　pair　of　sandals；　such　as　were　worn　in　the　Abbey　of　Jumieges。

〃Ha！　is　this　all？　　What　didst　say；　child？〃　cried　Bernard　the　Dane；　hastily。

〃He　told　me　it　was　his　greatest　treasure！〃　repeated　Richard。

〃And　it　was！〃　said　Abbot　Martin。

Then　the　good　Abbot　told　them　the　history；　part　of　which　was　already　known　to　some　of　them。　　About　five　or　six　years　before；　Duke　William　had　been　hunting　in　the　forest　of　Jumieges；　when　he　had　suddenly　come　on　the　ruins　of　the　Abbey；　which　had　been　wasted　thirty　or　forty　years　previously　by　the　Sea…King；　Hasting。　　Two　old　monks；　of　the　original　brotherhood；　still　survived；　and　came　forth　to　greet　the　Duke；　and　offer　him　their　hospitality。

〃Ay！〃　said　Bernard；　〃well　do　I　remember　their　bread；　we　asked　if　it　was　made　of　fir…bark；　like　that　of　our　brethren　of　Norway。〃

William；　then　an　eager；　thoughtless　young　man；　turned　with　disgust　from　this　wretched　fare；　and　throwing　the　old　men　some　gold；　galloped　on　to　enjoy　his　hunting。　　In　the　course　of　the　sport；　he　was　left　alone；　and　encountered　a　wild　boar；　which　threw　him　down；　trampled　on　him；　and　left　him　stretched　senseless　on　the　ground；　severely　injured。　　His　companions　coming　up；　carried　him；　as　the　nearest　place　of　shelter；　to　the　ruins　of　Jumieges；　where　the　two　old　monks　gladly　received　him　in　the　remaining　portion　of　their　house。　　As　soon　as　he　recovered　his　senses；　he　earnestly　asked　their　pardon　for　his　pride；　and　the　scorn　he　had　shown　to　the　poverty　and　patient　suffering　which　he　should　have　reverenced。

William　had　always　been　a　man　who　chose　the　good　and　refused　the　evil；　but　this　accident；　and　the　long　illness　that　followed　it；　made　him　far　more　thoughtful　and　serious　than　he　had　ever　been　before；　he　made　preparing　for　death　and　eternity　his　first　object；　and　thought　less　of　his　worldly　affairs；　his　wars；　and　his　ducal　state。　　He　rebuilt　the　old　Abbey；　endowed　it　richly；　and　sent　for　Martin　himself　from　France；　to　become　the　Abbot；　he　delighted　in　nothing　so　much　as　praying　there；　conversing　with　the　Abbot；　and　hearing　him　read　holy　books；　and　he　felt　his　temporal　affairs；　and　the　state　and　splendour　of　his　rank；　so　great　a　temptation；　that　he　had　one　day　come　to　the　Abbot；　and　entreated　to　be　allowed　to　lay　them　aside；　and　become　a　brother　of　the　order。　　But　Martin　had　refused　to　receive　his　vows。　He　had　told　him　that　he　had　no　right　to　neglect　or　forsake　the　duties　of　the　station　which　God　had　appointed　him；　that　it　would　be　a　sin　to　leave　the　post　which　had　been　given　him　to　defend；　and　that　the　way　marked　out　for　him　to　serve　God　was　by　doing　justice　among　his　people；　and　using　his　power　to　defend　the　right。　　Not　till　he　had　done　his　allotted　work；　and　his　son　was　old　enough　to　take　his　place　as　ruler　of　the　Normans；　might　he　cease　from　his　active　duties；　quit　the　turmoil　of　the　world；　and　seek　the　repose　of　the　cloister。　　It　was　in　this　hope　of　peaceful　retirement；　that　William　had　delighted　to　treasure　up　the　humble　garments　that　he　hoped　one　day　to　wear　in　peace　and　holiness。

〃And　oh！　my　noble　Duke！〃　exclaimed　Abbot　Martin；　bursting　into　tears；　as　he　finished　his　narration；　〃the　Lord　hath　been　very　gracious　unto　thee！　　He　has　taken　thee　home　to　thy　rest；　long　before　thou　didst　dare　to　hope　for　it。〃

Slowly；　and　with　subdued　feelings；　the　Norman　Barons　left　the　chamber；　Richard；　whom　they　seemed　to　have　almost　forgotten；　wandered　to　the　stairs；　to　find　his　way　to　the　room　where　he　had　slept　last　night。　　He　had　not　made　many　steps　before　he　heard　Osmond's　voice　say；　〃Here；　my　Lord；〃　he　looked　up；　saw　a　white　cap　at　a　doorway　a　little　above　him；　he　bounded　up　and　flew　into　Dame　Astrida's　outstretched　arms。

How　glad　he　was　to　sit　in　her　lap；　and　lay　his　wearied　head　on　her　bosom；　while；　with　a　worn…out　voice；　he　exclaimed；　〃Oh；　Fru　Astrida！　I　am　very；　very　tired　of　being　Duke　of　Normandy！〃



CHAPTER　IV



Richard　of　Normandy　was　very　anxious　to　know　more　of　the　little　boy　whom　he　had　seen　among　his　vassals。

〃Ah！　the　young　Baron　de　Montemar；〃　said　Sir　Eric。　　〃I　knew　his　father　well；　and　a　brave　man　he　was；　though　not　of　northern　blood。　　He　was　warden　of　the　marches　of　the　Epte；　and　was　killed　by　your　father's　side　in　the　inroad　of　the　Viscount　du　Cotentin；　｛10｝　at　the　time　when　you　were　born；　Lord　Richard。〃

〃But　where　does　he　live？　　Shall　I　not　see　him　again？〃

〃Montemar　is　on　the　bank　of　the　Epte；　in　the　domain　that　the　French　wrongfully　claim　from　us。　　He　lives　there　with　his　mother；　and　if　he　be　not　yet　returned；　you　shall　see　him　presently。　　Osmond；　go　you　and　seek　out　the　lodgings　of　the　young　Montemar；　and　tell　him　the　Duke　would　see　him。〃

Richard　had　never　had　a　playfellow　of　his　own　age；　and　his　eagerness　to　see　Alberic　de　Montemar　was　great。　　He　watched　from　the　window；　and　at　length　beheld　Osmond　entering　the　court　with　a　boy　of　ten　years　old　by　his　side；　and　an　old　grey…headed　Squire；　with　a　golden　chain　to　mark　him　as　a　Seneschal　or　Steward　of　the　Castle；　walking　behind。

Richard　ran　to　the　door　to　meet　them；　holding　out　his　hand　eagerly。　Alberic　uncovered　his　bright　dark　hair；　bowed　low　and　gracefully；　but　stood　as　if　he　did　not　exactly　know　what　to　do　next。　　Richard　grew　shy　at　the　same　moment；　and　the　two　boys　stood　looking　at　each　other　somewhat　awkwardly。　　It　was　easy　to　see　that　they　were　of　diffe