the little duke-第9章

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ly　incensed　against　youso　much　so；　that　they　were　almost　ready　to　tear　me　to　pieces　for　being　absent　at　this　juncture。　　They　say　that　you　are　keeping　the　child　prisoner　in　his　own　Castle　and　that　they　will　have　him　restored　if　they　tear　it　down　to　the　foundations。〃

〃You　are　a　true　man；　a　loyal　manyou　understand　my　good　intentions；〃　said　Louis；　trembling；　for　the　Normans　were　extremely　dreaded。　　〃You　would　not　bring　the　shame　of　rebellion　on　your　town　and　people。　Advise　meI　will　do　just　as　you　counsel　mehow　shall　I　appease　them？〃

〃Take　the　child；　lead　him　to　the　window；　swear　that　you　mean　him　no　evil；　that　you　will　not　take　him　from　us；〃　said　Bernard。　　〃Swear　it　on　the　faith　of　a　King。〃

〃As　a　Kingas　a　Christian；　it　is　true！〃　said　Louis。　　〃Here；　my　boy！　Wherefore　shrink　from　me？　　What　have　I　done；　that　you　should　fear　me？　You　have　been　listening　to　evil　tales　of　me；　my　child。　　Come　hither。〃

At　a　sign　from　the　Count　de　Harcourt；　Sir　Eric　led　Richard　forward；　and　put　his　hand　into　the　King's。　　Louis　took　him　to　the　window；　lifted　him　upon　the　sill；　and　stood　there　with　his　arm　round　him；　upon　which　the　shout；　〃Long　live　Richard；　our　little　Duke！〃　arose　again。　　Meantime；　the　two　Centevilles　looked　in　wonder　at　the　old　Harcourt；　who　shook　his　head　and　muttered　in　his　own　tongue；　〃I　will　do　all　I　may；　but　our　force　is　small；　and　the　King　has　the　best　of　it。　　We　must　not　yet　bring　a　war　on　ourselves。〃

〃Hark！　he　is　going　to　speak；〃　said　Osmond。

〃Fair　Sirs！excellent　burgesses！〃　began　the　King；　as　the　cries　lulled　a　little。　｛11｝　　〃I　rejoice　to　see　the　love　ye　bear　to　our　young　Prince！　　I　would　all　my　subjects　were　equally　loyal！　　But　wherefore　dread　me；　as　if　I　were　come　to　injure　him？　　I；　who　came　but　to　take　counsel　how　to　avenge　the　death　of　his　father；　who　brought　me　back　from　England　when　I　was　a　friendless　exile。　　Know　ye　not　how　deep　is　the　debt　of　gratitude　I　owe　to　Duke　William？　　He　it　was　who　made　me　Kingit　was　he　who　gained　me　the　love　of　the　King　of　Germany；　he　stood　godfather　for　my　sonto　him　I　owe　all　my　wealth　and　state；　and　all　my　care　is　to　render　guerdon　for　it　to　his　child；　since；　alas！　　I　may　not　to　himself。　　Duke　William　rests　in　his　bloody　grave！　　It　is　for　me　to　call　his　murderers　to　account；　and　to　cherish　his　son；　even　as　mine　own！〃

So　saying；　Louis　tenderly　embraced　the　little　boy；　and　the　Rouennais　below　broke　out　into　another　cry；　in　which　〃Long　live　King　Louis；〃　was　joined　with　〃Long　live　Richard！〃

〃You　will　not　let　the　child　go？〃　said　Eric；　meanwhile；　to　Harcourt。

〃Not　without　provision　for　his　safety；　but　we　are　not　fit　for　war　as　yet；　and　to　let　him　go　is　the　only　means　of　warding　it　off。〃

Eric　groaned　and　shook　his　head；　but　the　Count　de　Harcourt's　judgment　was　of　such　weight　with　him；　that　he　never　dreamt　of　disputing　it。

〃Bring　me　here；〃　said　the　King；　〃all　that　you　deem　most　holy；　and　you　shall　see　me　pledge　myself　to　be　your　Duke's　most　faithful　friend。〃

There　was　some　delay；　during　which　the　Norman　Nobles　had　time　for　further　counsel　together；　and　Richard　looked　wistfully　at　them；　wondering　what　was　to　happen　to　him；　and　wishing　he　could　venture　to　ask　for　Alberic。

Several　of　the　Clergy　of　the　Cathedral　presently　appeared　in　procession；　bringing　with　them　the　book　of　the　Gospels　on　which　Richard　had　taken　his　installation　oath；　with　others　of　the　sacred　treasures　of　the　Church；　preserved　in　gold　cases。　　The　Priests　were　followed　by　a　few　of　the　Norman　Knights　and　Nobles；　some　of　the　burgesses　of　Rouen；　and；　to　Richard's　great　joy；　by　Alberic　de　Montemar　himself。　　The　two　boys　stood　looking　eagerly　at　each　other；　while　preparation　was　made　for　the　ceremony　of　the　King's　oath。

The　stone　table　in　the　middle　of　the　room　was　cleared；　and　arranged　so　as　in　some　degree　to　resemble　the　Altar　in　the　Cathedral；　then　the　Count　de　Harcourt；　standing　before　it；　and　holding　the　King's　hand；　demanded　of　him　whether　he　would　undertake　to　be　the　friend；　protector；　and　good　Lord　of　Richard；　Duke　of　Normandy；　guarding　him　from　all　his　enemies；　and　ever　seeking　his　welfare。　　Louis；　with　his　hand　on　the　Gospels；　〃swore　that　so　he　would。〃

〃Amen！〃　returned　Bernard　the　Dane；　solemnly；　〃and　as　thou　keepest　that　oath　to　the　fatherless　child；　so　may　the　Lord　do　unto　thine　house！〃

Then　followed　the　ceremony；　which　had　been　interrupted　the　night　before；　of　the　homage　and　oath　of　allegiance　which　Richard　owed　to　the　King；　and；　on　the　other　hand；　the　King's　formal　reception　of　him　as　a　vassal；　holding；　under　him；　the　two　dukedoms　of　Normandy　and　Brittany。　　〃And；〃　said　the　King；　raising　him　in　his　arms　and　kissing　him；　〃no　dearer　vassal　do　I　hold　in　all　my　realm　than　this　fair　child；　son　of　my　murdered　friend　and　benefactorprecious　to　me　as　my　own　children；　as　so　on　my　Queen　and　I　hope　to　testify。〃

Richard　did　not　much　like　all　this　embracing；　but　he　was　sure　the　King　really　meant　him　no　ill；　and　he　wondered　at　all　the　distrust　the　Centevilles　had　shown。

〃Now；　brave　Normans；〃　said　the　King；　〃be　ye　ready　speedily；　for　an　onset　on　the　traitor　Fleming。　　The　cause　of　my　ward　is　my　own　cause。　Soon　shall　the　trumpet　be　sounded；　the　ban　and　arriere　ban　of　the　realm　be　called　forth；　and　Arnulf；　in　the　flames　of　his　cities；　and　the　blood　of　his　vassals；　shall　learn　to　rue　the　day　when　his　foot　trod　the　Isle　of　Pecquigny！　　How　many　Normans　can　you　bring　to　the　muster；　Sir　Count？〃

〃I　cannot　say；　within　a　few　hundreds　of　lances；〃　replied　the　old　Dane；　cautiously；　〃it　depends　on　the　numbers　that　may　be　engaged　in　the　Italian　war　with　the　Saracens；　but　of　this　be　sure；　Sir　King；　that　every　man　in　Normandy　and　Brittany　who　can　draw　a　sword　or　bend　a　bow；　will　stand　forth　in　the　cause　of　our　little　Duke；　ay；　and　that　his　blessed　father's　memory　is　held　so　dear　in　our　northern　home；　that　it　needs　but　a　message　to　King　Harold　Blue…tooth　to　bring　a　fleet　of　long　keels　into　the　Seine；　with　stout　Danes　enough　to　carry　fire　and　sword；　not　merely　through　Flanders；　but　through　all　France。　We　of　the　North　are　not　apt　to　forget　old　friendships　and　favours；　Sir　King。〃

〃Yes；　yes；　I　know　the　Norman　faith　of　old；〃　returned　Louis；　uneasily；　〃but　we　should　scarcely　need　such　wild　allies　as　you　propose；　the　Count　of　Paris；　and　Hubert　of　Senlis　may　be　reckoned　on；　I　suppose。〃

〃No　truer　friend　to　Normandy　than　gallant　and　wise　old　Hugh　the　White！〃　said　Bernard；　〃and　as　to　Senlis；　he　is　uncle　to　the　boy；　and　doubly　bound　to　us。〃

〃I　rejoice　to　see　your　confidence；〃　said　Louis。　　〃You　shall　soon　hear　from　me。　　In　the　meantime　I　must　return　to　gather　my　force　together；　and　summon　my　great　vassals；　and　I　will；　with　your　leave；　brave　Normans；　take　with　me　my　dear　young　ward。　　His　presence　will　plead　better　in　his　cause　than　the　finest　words；　moreover；　he　will　grow　up　in　love　and　friendship　with　my　two　boys；　and　shall　be　nurtured　with　them　in　all　good　learning　and　chivalry；　nor　shall　he　ever　be　reminded　that　he　is　an　orphan　while　under　the　care　of　Queen　Gerberge　and　myself。〃

〃Let　the　child　come　to　me；　so　please　you；　my　Lord　the　King；〃　answered　Harcourt；　bluntly。　　〃I　must　hold　some　converse　with　him；　ere　I　can　reply。〃

〃Go　then；　Richard；〃　said　Louis；　〃go　to　your　trusty　vassalhappy　are　you　in　possessing　such　a　friend；　I　hope　you　know　his　value。〃

〃Here　then；　young　Sir；〃　said　the　Count；　in　his　native　tongue；　when　Richard　had　crossed　from　the　King's　side；　and　stood　beside　him；　〃what　say　you　to　this　proposal？〃

〃The　King　is　very　kind；〃　said　Richard。　　〃I　am　sure　he　is　kind；　but　I　do　not　like　to　go　from　Rouen；　or　from　Dame　Astrida。〃

〃Listen；　my　Lord；〃　said　the　Dane；　stooping　down　and　speaking　low。　〃The　King　is　resolved　to　have　you　away；　he　has　with　him　the　best　of　his　Franks；　and　has　so　taken　us　at　unawares；　that　though　I　might　yet　rescue　you　from　his　hands；　it　would　not　be　without　a　fierce　struggle；　wherein　you　might　be　harmed；　and　this　castle　and　town　certainly　burnt；　and　wrested　from　us。　　A　few　weeks　or　months；　and　we　shall　have　time　to　draw　our　force　together；　so　that　Normandy　need　fear　no　man；　and　for　that　time　you　must　tarry　with　him。〃

〃Must　Iand　all　alone？〃

〃No；　not　alone；　not　without　the　most　trusty　guardian　that　can　be　found　for　you。　　Friend　Eric；　what　say　you？〃　and　he　laid　his　hand　on　the　old　Baron's　shoulder。　　〃Yet；　I　know　not；　true　thou　art；　as　a　Norwegian　mountain；　but　I　doubt　me　if　thy　brains　are　not　too　dull　to　see　through　the　French　wiles　and　disguises；　sharp　as　thou　didst　show　thyself　last　night。〃

〃That　was　Osmond；　not　I；〃　said　Sir　Eric。　　〃He　knows　their　mincing　tongue　better　than　I。　　He　were　the　best　to　go　with　the　poor　child；　if　go　he　must。〃

〃Bethink　you；　Eric；〃　said　the　Count；　in　an　undertone；　〃Osmond　is　the　only　hope　of　your　good　old　houseif　there　is　foul　play；　the　guardian　will　be　the　first　to　suffer。〃

〃Since　you　think　fit　to　peril　the　only　hope　of　all　Normandy；　I　am　not　the　man　to　hold　back　my　son　where　he　may　aid　him；〃　said　old　Eric；　sadly。　　〃The　poor　child　will　be　lonely　and　uncared…for　there；　and　it　were　hard　he　should　not　have　one　faithful　comrade　and　friend　with　him。〃

〃It　is　well；〃　said　Bernard：　　〃young　as　he　is；　I　had　rather　trust　Osmond　with　the　child　than　any　one　else；　for　he　is　ready　of　counsel；　and　quick　of　hand。〃

〃Ay；　and　a　pretty　pass　it　is　come　to；〃　muttered　old　Centeville；　〃that　we；　whose　business　it　is　to　guard　the　boy；　should　send　him　where　you　scarcely　like　to　trust　my　son。〃

Bernard　paid　no　further　attention　to　him；　but；　coming　forward；　required　another　oath　from　the　King；　that　Richard　should　be　as　safe　and　free　at　his　court　as　at　Rouen；　and　that　on　no　pretence　whatsoever　should　he　be　taken　from　under　the　immediate　care　of　his　Esquire；　Osmond　Fitz　Eric；　heir　of　Centeville。

After　this；　the　King　was　impatient　to　depart；　and　all　was　preparation。　　Bernard　called　Osmond　aside　to　give　full　instructions　on　his　conduct；　and　the　means　of　communicating　with　Normandy；　and　Richard　was　taking　leave　of　Fru　Astrida；　who　had　now　descended　from　her　turret；　bringing　her　hostage　with　her。　　She　wept　much　over　her　little　Duke；　praying　that　he　might　safely　be　restored　to　Normandy；　even　though　she　might　not　live　to　see　it；　she　exhorted　him　not　to　forget　the　good　and　holy　learning　in　which　he　had　been　brought　up；　to　rule　his　temper；　and；　above　all；　to　say　his　prayers　constantly；　never　leaving　out　one；　as　the　beads　of　his　rosary　reminded　him　of　their　order。　　As　to　her　own　grandson；　anxiety　for　him　seemed　almost　lost　in　her　fears　for　Richard；　and　the　chief　things　she　said　to　him；　when　he　came　to　take　leave　of　her；　were　directions　as　to　the　care　he　was　to　take　of　the　child；　telling　him　the　honour　he　now　received　was　one　which　would　make　his　name　forever　esteemed　if　he　did　but　fulfil　his　trust；　the　most　precious　that　Norman　had　ever　yet　received。

〃I　will；　grandmother；　to　the　very　best　of　my　power；〃　said　Osmond；　〃I　may　die　in　his　cause；　but　never　will　I　be　faithless！〃

〃Alberic！〃　said　Richard；　〃are　you　glad　to　be　going　back　to　Montemar？〃

〃Yes；　my　Lord；〃　answered　Alberic；　sturdily；　〃as　glad　as　you　will　be　to　come　back　to　Rouen。〃

〃Then　I　shall　send　for　you　directly；　Alberic；　for　I　shall　never　love　the　Princes　Carloman　and　Lothaire　half　as　well　as　you！〃

〃My　Lord　the　King　is　waiting　for　the　Duke；〃　said　a　Frenchman；　coming　forward。

〃Farewell　then；　Fru　Astrida。　　Do　not　weep。