Chapter V

by Charlotte M. Yonge

　　Duke Richard of Normandy slept in the room which had been hisfather's; Alberic de Montemar, as his page, slept at his feet, andOsmond de Centeville had a bed on the floor, across the door, wherehe lay with his sword close at hand, as his young Lord's guard andprotector.

　　All had been asleep for some little time, when Osmond was startled bya slight movement of the door, which could not be pushed open withoutawakening him. In an instant he had grasped his sword, while hepressed his shoulder to the door to keep it closed; but it was hisfather's voice that answered him with a few whispered words in theNorse tongue, "It is I, open." He made way instantly, and old SirEric entered, treading cautiously with bare feet, and sat down on thebed motioning him to do the same, so that they might be able to speaklower. "Right, Osmond," he said. "It is well to be on the alert,for peril enough is around him--The Frank means mischief! I knowfrom a sure hand that Arnulf of Flanders was in council with him justbefore he came hither, with his false tongue, wiling and coaxing thepoor child!"

　　"Ungrateful traitor!" murmured Osmond. "Do you guess his purpose?"

　　"Yes, surely, to carry the boy off with him, and so he trustsdoubtless to cut off all the race of Rollo! I know his purpose is tobear off the Duke, as a ward of the Crown forsooth. Did you not hearhim luring the child with his promises of friendship with thePrinces? I could not understand all his French words, but I saw itplain enough."

　　"You will never allow it?"

　　"If he does, it must be across our dead bodies; but taken as we areby surprise, our resistance will little avail. The Castle is full ofFrench, the hall and court swarm with them. Even if we could drawour Normans together, we should not be more than a dozen men, andwhat could we do but die? That we are ready for, if it may not beotherwise, rather than let our charge be thus borne off without apledge for his safety, and without the knowledge of the states."

　　"The king could not have come at a worse time," said Osmond.

　　"No, just when Bernard the Dane is absent. If he only knew what hasbefallen, he could raise the country, and come to the rescue."

　　"Could we not send some one to bear the tidings to-night?"

　　"I know not," said Sir Eric, musingly. "The French have taken thekeeping of the doors; indeed they are so thick through the Castlethat I can hardly reach one of our men, nor could I spare one handthat may avail to guard the boy to-morrow."

　　"Sir Eric;" a bare little foot was heard on the floor, and Alberic deMontemar stood before him. "I did not mean to listen, but I couldnot help hearing you. I cannot fight for the Duke yet, but I couldcarry a message."

　　"How would that be?" said Osmond, eagerly. "Once out of the Castle,and in Rouen, he could easily find means of sending to the Count. Hemight go either to the Convent of St. Ouen, or, which would bebetter, to the trusty armourer, Thibault, who would soon find man andhorse to send after the Count."

　　"Ha! let me see," said Sir Eric. "It might be. But how is he to getout?"

　　"I know a way," said Alberic. "I scrambled down that wide buttressby the east wall last week, when our ball was caught in a branch ofthe ivy, and the drawbridge is down."

　　"If Bernard knew, it would be off my mind, at least!" said Sir Eric."Well, my young Frenchman, you may do good service."

　　"Osmond," whispered Alberic, as he began hastily to dress himself,"only ask one thing of Sir Eric--never to call me young Frenchmanagain!"

　　Sir Eric smiled, saying, "Prove yourself Norman, my boy."

　　"Then," added Osmond, "if it were possible to get the Duke himselfout of the castle to-morrow morning. If I could take him forth bythe postern, and once bring him into the town, he would be safe. Itwould be only to raise the burghers, or else to take refuge in theChurch of Our Lady till the Count came up, and then Louis would findhis prey out of his hands when he awoke and sought him."

　　"That might be," replied Sir Eric; "but I doubt your success. TheFrench are too eager to hold him fast, to let him slip out of theirhands. You will find every door guarded."

　　"Yes, but all the French have not seen the Duke, and the sight of asquire and a little page going forth, will scarcely excite theirsuspicion."

　　"Ay, if the Duke would bear himself like a little page; but that youneed not hope for. Besides, he is so taken with this King'sflatteries, that I doubt whether he would consent to leave him forthe sake of Count Bernard. Poor child, he is like to be soon taughtto know his true friends."

　　"I am ready," said Alberic, coming forward.

　　The Baron de Centeville repeated his instructions, and then undertookto guard the door, while his son saw Alberic set off on hisexpedition. Osmond went with him softly down the stairs, thenavoiding the hall, which was filled with French, they crept silentlyto a narrow window, guarded by iron bars, placed at such shortintervals apart that only so small and slim a form as Alberic's couldhave squeezed out between them. The distance to the ground was notmuch more than twice his own height, and the wall was so covered withivy, that it was not a very dangerous feat for an active boy, so thatAlberic was soon safe on the ground, then looking up to wave his cap,he ran on along the side of the moat, and was soon lost to Osmond'ssight in the darkness.

　　Osmond returned to the Duke's chamber, and relieved his father'sguard, while Richard slept soundly on, little guessing at the plotsof his enemies, or at the schemes of his faithful subjects for hisprotection.

　　Osmond thought this all the better, for he had small trust inRichard's patience and self-command, and thought there was much morechance of getting him unnoticed out of the Castle, if he did not knowhow much depended on it, and how dangerous his situation was.

　　When Richard awoke, he was much surprised at missing Alberic, butOsmond said he was gone into the town to Thibault the armourer, andthis was a message on which he was so likely to be employed thatRichard's suspicion was not excited. All the time he was dressing hetalked about the King, and everything he meant to show him that day;then, when he was ready, the first thing was as usual to go to attendmorning mass.

　　"Not by that way, to-day, my Lord," said Osmond, as Richard was aboutto enter the great hall. "It is crowded with the French who havebeen sleeping there all night; come to the postern."

　　Osmond turned, as he spoke, along the passage, walking fast, and notsorry that Richard was lingering a little, as it was safer for him tobe first. The postern was, as he expected, guarded by two tallsteel-cased figures, who immediately held their lances across thedoor-way, saying, "None passes without warrant."

　　"You will surely let us of the Castle attend to our daily business,"said Osmond. "You will hardly break your fast this morning if youstop all communication with the town."

　　"You must bring warrant," repeated one of the men-at-arms. Osmondwas beginning to say that he was the son of the Seneschal of theCastle, when Richard came hastily up. "What? Do these men want tostop us?" he exclaimed in the imperious manner he had begun to takeup since his accession. "Let us go on, sirs."

　　The men-at-arms looked at each other, and guarded the door moreclosely. Osmond saw it was hopeless, and only wanted to draw hisyoung charge back without being recognised, but Richard exclaimedloudly, "What means this?"

　　"The King has given orders that none should pass without warrant,"was Osmond's answer. "We must wait."

　　"I will pass!" said Richard, impatient at opposition, to which he waslittle accustomed. "What mean you, Osmond? This is my Castle, andno one has a right to stop me. Do you hear, grooms? let me go. I amthe Duke!"

　　The sentinels bowed, but all they said was, "Our orders are express."

　　"I tell you I am Duke of Normandy, and I will go where I please in myown city!" exclaimed Richard, passionately pressing against thecrossed staves of the weapons, to force his way between them, but hewas caught and held fast in the powerful gauntlet of one of the men-at-arms. "Let me go, villain!" cried he, struggling with all hismight. "Osmond, Osmond, help!"

　　Even as he spoke Osmond had disengaged him from the grasp of theFrenchman, and putting his hand on his arm, said, "Nay, my Lord, itis not for you to strive with such as these."

　　"I will strive!" cried the boy. "I will not have my way barred in myown Castle. I will tell the King how these rogues of his use me. Iwill have them in the dungeon. Sir Eric! where is Sir Eric?"

　　Away he rushed to the stairs, Osmond hurrying after him, lest heshould throw himself into some fresh danger, or by his loud callsattract the French, who might then easily make him prisoner.However, on the very first step of the stairs stood Sir Eric, who wastoo anxious for the success of the attempt to escape, to be very faroff. Richard, too angry to heed where he was going, dashed upagainst him without seeing him, and as the old Baron took hold ofhim, began, "Sir Eric, Sir Eric, those French are villains! they willnot let me pass--"

　　"Hush, hush! my Lord," said Sir Eric. "Silence! come here."

　　However imperious with others, Richard from force of habit alwaysobeyed Sir Eric, and now allowed himself to be dragged hastily andsilently by him, Osmond following closely, up the stairs, up a secondand a third winding flight, still narrower, and with broken steps, toa small round, thick-walled turret chamber, with an extremely smalldoor, and loop-holes of windows high up in the tower. Here, to hisgreat surprise, he found Dame Astrida, kneeling and telling herbeads, two or three of her maidens, and about four of the NormanSquires and men-at-arms.

　　"So you have failed, Osmond?" said the Baron.

　　"But what is all this? How did Fru Astrida come up here? May I notgo to the King and have those insolent Franks punished?"

　　"Listen to me, Lord Richard," said Sir Eric: "that smooth-spokenKing whose words so charmed you last night is an ungrateful deceiver.The Franks have always hated and feared the Normans, and not beingable to conquer us fairly, they now take to foul means. Louis camehither from Flanders, he has brought this great troop of French tosurprise us, claim you as a ward of the crown, and carry you awaywith him to some prison of his own."

　　"You will not let me go?" said Richard.

　　"Not while I live," said Sir Eric. "Alberic is gone to warn theCount of Harcourt, to call the Normans together, and here we areready to defend this chamber to our last breath, but we are few, theFrench are many, and succour may be far off."

　　"Then you meant to have taken me out of their reach this morning,Osmond?"

　　"Yes, my Lord."

　　"And if I had not flown into a passion and told who I was, I mighthave been safe! O Sir Eric! Sir Eric! you will not let me becarried off to a French prison!"

　　"Here, my child," said Dame Astrida, holding out her arms, "Sir Ericwill do all he can for you, but we are in God's hands!"

　　Richard came and leant against her. "I wish I had not been in apassion!" said he, sadly, after a silence; then looking at her inwonder--"But how came you up all this way?"

　　"It is a long way for my old limbs," said Fru Astrida, smiling, "butmy son helped me, and he deems it the only safe place in the Castle."

　　"The safest," said Sir Eric, "and that is not saying much for it."

　　"Hark!" said Osmond, "what a tramping the Franks are making. Theyare beginning to wonder where the Duke is."

　　"To the stairs, Osmond," said Sir Eric. "On that narrow step one manmay keep them at bay a long time. You can speak their jargon too,and hold parley with them."

　　"Perhaps they will think I am gone," whispered Richard, "if theycannot find me, and go away."

　　Osmond and two of the Normans were, as he spoke, taking their standon the narrow spiral stair, where there was just room for one man onthe step. Osmond was the lowest, the other two above him, and itwould have been very hard for an enemy to force his way past them.

　　Osmond could plainly hear the sounds of the steps and voices of theFrench as they consulted together, and sought for the Duke. A man atlength was heard clanking up these very stairs, till winding round,he suddenly found himself close upon young de Centeville.

　　"Ha! Norman!" he cried, starting back in amazement, "what are youdoing here?"

　　"My duty," answered Osmond, shortly. "I am here to guard thisstair;" and his drawn sword expressed the same intention.

　　The Frenchman drew back, and presently a whispering below was heard,and soon after a voice came up the stairs, saying, "Norman--goodNorman--"

　　"What would you say?" replied Osmond, and the head of another Frankappeared. "What means all this, my friend?" was the address. "OurKing comes as a guest to you, and you received him last evening asloyal vassals. Wherefore have you now drawn out of the way, andstriven to bear off your young Duke into secret places? Truly itlooks not well that you should thus strive to keep him apart, andtherefore the King requires to see him instantly."

　　"Sir Frenchman," replied Osmond, "your King claims the Duke as hisward. How that may be my father knows not, but as he was committedto his charge by the states of Normandy, he holds himself bound tokeep him in his own hands until further orders from them."

　　"That means, insolent Norman, that you intend to shut the boy up andkeep him in your own rebel hands. You had best yield--it will be thebetter for you and for him. The child is the King's ward, and heshall not be left to be nurtured in rebellion by northern pirates."

　　At this moment a cry from without arose, so loud as almost to drownthe voices of the speakers on the turret stair, a cry welcome to theears of Osmond, repeated by a multitude of voices, "Haro! Haro! ourlittle Duke!"

　　It was well known as a Norman shout. So just and so ready to redressall grievances had the old Duke Rollo been, that his very name was anappeal against injustice, and whenever wrong was done, the Normanoutcry against the injury was always "Ha Rollo!" or as it had becomeshortened, "Haro." And now Osmond knew that those whose affectionhad been won by the uprightness of Rollo, were gathering to protecthis helpless grandchild.

　　The cry was likewise heard by the little garrison in the turretchamber, bringing hope and joy. Richard thought himself alreadyrescued, and springing from Fru Astrida, danced about in ecstasy,only longing to see the faithful Normans, whose voices he heardringing out again and again, in calls for their little Duke, andoutcries against the Franks. The windows were, however, so high,that nothing could be seen from them but the sky; and, like Richard,the old Baron de Centeville was almost beside himself with anxiety toknow what force was gathered together, and what measures were beingtaken. He opened the door, called to his son, and asked if he couldtell what was passing, but Osmond knew as little--he could seenothing but the black, cobwebbed, dusty steps winding above his head,while the clamours outside, waxing fiercer and louder, drowned allthe sounds which might otherwise have come up to him from the Frenchwithin the Castle. At last, however, Osmond called out to hisfather, in Norse, "There is a Frank Baron come to entreat, and thistime very humbly, that the Duke may come to the King."

　　"Tell him," replied Sir Eric, "that save with consent of the councilof Normandy, the child leaves not my hands."

　　"He says," called back Osmond, after a moment, "that you shall guardhim yourself, with as many as you choose to bring with you. Hedeclares on the faith of a free Baron, that the King has no thoughtof ill--he wants to show him to the Rouennais without, who arecalling for him, and threaten to tear down the tower rather than notsee their little Duke. Shall I bid him send a hostage?"

　　"Answer him," returned the Baron, "that the Duke leaves not thischamber unless a pledge is put into our hands for his safety. Therewas an oily-tongued Count, who sat next the King at supper--let himcome hither, and then perchance I may trust the Duke among them."

　　Osmond gave the desired reply, which was carried to the King.Meantime the uproar outside grew louder than ever, and there were newsounds, a horn was winded, and there was a shout of "Dieu aide!" theNorman war-cry, joined with "Notre Dame de Harcourt!"

　　"There, there!" cried Sir Eric, with a long breath, as if relieved ofhalf his anxieties, "the boy has sped well. Bernard is here at last!Now his head and hand are there, I doubt no longer."

　　"Here comes the Count," said Osmond, opening the door, and admittinga stout, burly man, who seemed sorely out of breath with the ascentof the steep, broken stair, and very little pleased to find himselfin such a situation. The Baron de Centeville augured well from thespeed with which he had been sent, thinking it proved greatperplexity and distress on the part of Louis. Without waiting tohear his hostage speak, he pointed to a chest on which he had beensitting, and bade two of his men-at-arms stand on each side of theCount, saying at the same time to Fru Astrida, "Now, mother, if aughtof evil befalls the child, you know your part. Come, Lord Richard."

　　Richard moved forward. Sir Eric held his hand. Osmond kept closebehind him, and with as many of the men-at-arms as could be sparedfrom guarding Fru Astrida and her hostage, he descended the stairs,not by any means sorry to go, for he was weary of being besieged inthat turret chamber, whence he could see nothing, and with thosefriendly cries in his ears, he could not be afraid.

　　He was conducted to the large council-room which was above the hall.There, the King was walking up and down anxiously, looking paler thanhis wont, and no wonder, for the uproar sounded tremendous there--andnow and then a stone dashed against the sides of the deep window.

　　Nearly at the same moment as Richard entered by one door, CountBernard de Harcourt came in from the other, and there was a slightlull in the tumult.

　　"What means this, my Lords?" exclaimed the King. "Here am I come inall good will, in memory of my warm friendship with Duke William, totake on me the care of his orphan, and hold council with you foravenging his death, and is this the greeting you afford me? Yousteal away the child, and stir up the rascaille of Rouen against me.Is this the reception for your King?"

　　"Sir King," replied Bernard, "what your intentions may be, I knownot. All I do know is, that the burghers of Rouen are fiercelyincensed against you--so much so, that they were almost ready to tearme to pieces for being absent at this juncture. They say that youare keeping the child prisoner in his own Castle and that they willhave him restored if they tear it down to the foundations."

　　"You are a true man, a loyal man--you understand my good intentions,"said Louis, trembling, for the Normans were extremely dreaded. "Youwould not bring the shame of rebellion on your town and people.Advise me--I will do just as you counsel me--how shall I appeasethem?"

　　"Take the child, lead him to the window, swear that you mean him noevil, that you will not take him from us," said Bernard. "Swear iton the faith of a King."

　　"As a King--as 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!" aroseagain. Meantime, the two Centevilles looked in wonder at the oldHarcourt, who shook his head and muttered in his own tongue, "I willdo all I may, but our force is small, and the King has the best ofit. 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 crieslulled a little. {11} "I rejoice to see the love ye bear to ouryoung Prince! I would all my subjects were equally loyal! Butwherefore dread me, as if I were come to injure him? I, who came butto take counsel how to avenge the death of his father, who brought meback from England when I was a friendless exile. Know ye not howdeep is the debt of gratitude I owe to Duke William? He it was whomade me King--it was he who gained me the love of the King ofGermany; he stood godfather for my son--to him I owe all my wealthand 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 bloodygrave! It is for me to call his murderers to account, and to cherishhis son, even as mine own!"

　　So saying, Louis tenderly embraced the little boy, and the Rouennaisbelow 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 asyet, 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 judgmentwas 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 youshall see me pledge myself to be your Duke's most faithful friend."

　　There was some delay, during which the Norman Nobles had time forfurther counsel together, and Richard looked wistfully at them,wondering what was to happen to him, and wishing he could venture toask for Alberic.

　　Several of the Clergy of the Cathedral presently appeared inprocession, bringing with them the book of the Gospels on whichRichard had taken his installation oath, with others of the sacredtreasures of the Church, preserved in gold cases. The Priests werefollowed by a few of the Norman Knights and Nobles, some of theburgesses of Rouen, and, to Richard's great joy, by Alberic deMontemar 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 arrangedso as in some degree to resemble the Altar in the Cathedral; then theCount 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 himfrom all his enemies, and ever seeking his welfare. Louis, with hishand on the Gospels, "swore that so he would."

　　"Amen!" returned Bernard the Dane, solemnly, "and as thou keepestthat oath to the fatherless child, so may the Lord do unto thinehouse!"

　　Then followed the ceremony, which had been interrupted the nightbefore, of the homage and oath of allegiance which Richard owed tothe King, and, on the other hand, the King's formal reception of himas a vassal, holding, under him, the two dukedoms of Normandy andBrittany. "And," said the King, raising him in his arms and kissinghim, "no dearer vassal do I hold in all my realm than this fairchild, son of my murdered friend and benefactor--precious to me as myown children, as so on my Queen and I hope to testify."

　　Richard did not much like all this embracing; but he was sure theKing really meant him no ill, and he wondered at all the distrust theCentevilles had shown.

　　"Now, brave Normans," said the King, "be ye ready speedily, for anonset 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 therealm be called forth, and Arnulf, in the flames of his cities, andthe blood of his vassals, shall learn to rue the day when his foottrod the Isle of Pecquigny! How many Normans can you bring to themuster, Sir Count?"

　　"I cannot say, within a few hundreds of lances," replied the oldDane, cautiously; "it depends on the numbers that may be engaged inthe 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 benda bow, will stand forth in the cause of our little Duke; ay, and thathis 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 afleet of long keels into the Seine, with stout Danes enough to carryfire 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; theCount of Paris, and Hubert of Senlis may be reckoned on, I suppose."

　　"No truer friend to Normandy than gallant and wise old Hugh theWhite!" said Bernard, "and as to Senlis, he is uncle to the boy, anddoubly bound to us."

　　"I rejoice to see your confidence," said Louis. "You shall soon hearfrom me. In the meantime I must return to gather my force together,and summon my great vassals, and I will, with your leave, braveNormans, take with me my dear young ward. His presence will pleadbetter in his cause than the finest words; moreover, he will grow upin love and friendship with my two boys, and shall be nurtured withthem in all good learning and chivalry, nor shall he ever be remindedthat he is an orphan while under the care of Queen Gerberge andmyself."

　　"Let the child come to me, so please you, my Lord the King," answeredHarcourt, bluntly. "I must hold some converse with him, ere I canreply."

　　"Go then, Richard," said Louis, "go to your trusty vassal--happy areyou in possessing such a friend; I hope you know his value."

　　"Here then, young Sir," said the Count, in his native tongue, whenRichard had crossed from the King's side, and stood beside him, "whatsay you to this proposal?"

　　"The King is very kind," said Richard. "I am sure he is kind; but Ido 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 ofhis Franks, and has so taken us at unawares, that though I might yetrescue you from his hands, it would not be without a fierce struggle,wherein you might be harmed, and this castle and town certainlyburnt, and wrested from us. A few weeks or months, and we shall havetime to draw our force together, so that Normandy need fear no man,and for that time you must tarry with him."

　　"Must I--and all alone?"

　　"No, not alone, not without the most trusty guardian that can befound for you. Friend Eric, what say you?" and he laid his hand onthe old Baron's shoulder. "Yet, I know not; true thou art, as aNorwegian mountain, but I doubt me if thy brains are not too dull tosee through the French wiles and disguises, sharp as thou didst showthyself last night."

　　"That was Osmond, not I," said Sir Eric. "He knows their mincingtongue better than I. He were the best to go with the poor child, ifgo he must."

　　"Bethink you, Eric," said the Count, in an undertone, "Osmond is theonly hope of your good old house--if there is foul play, the guardianwill be the first to suffer."

　　"Since you think fit to peril the only hope of all Normandy, I am notthe 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 itwere hard he should not have one faithful comrade and friend withhim."

　　"It is well," said Bernard: "young as he is, I had rather trustOsmond 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, "thatwe, whose business it is to guard the boy, should send him where youscarcely 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 safeand free at his court as at Rouen, and that on no pretence whatsoevershould 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 waspreparation. Bernard called Osmond aside to give full instructionson his conduct, and the means of communicating with Normandy, andRichard was taking leave of Fru Astrida, who had now descended fromher turret, bringing her hostage with her. She wept much over herlittle Duke, praying that he might safely be restored to Normandy,even though she might not live to see it; she exhorted him not toforget the good and holy learning in which he had been brought up, torule his temper, and, above all, to say his prayers constantly, neverleaving out one, as the beads of his rosary reminded him of theirorder. As to her own grandson, anxiety for him seemed almost lost inher fears for Richard, and the chief things she said to him, when hecame to take leave of her, were directions as to the care he was totake of the child, telling him the honour he now received was onewhich would make his name forever esteemed if he did but fulfil histrust, the most precious that Norman had ever yet received.

　　"I will, grandmother, to the very best of my power," said Osmond; "Imay 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 beto come back to Rouen."

　　"Then I shall send for you directly, Alberic, for I shall never lovethe Princes Carloman and Lothaire half as well as you!"

　　"My Lord the King is waiting for the Duke," said a Frenchman, comingforward.

　　"Farewell then, Fru Astrida. Do not weep. I shall soon come back.Farewell, Alberic. Take the bar-tailed falcon back to Montemar, andkeep him for my sake. Farewell, Sir Eric--Farewell, Count Bernard.When the Normans come to conquer Arnulf you will lead them. O dear,dear Fru Astrida, farewell again."

　　"Farewell, my own darling. The blessing of Heaven go with you, andbring you safe home! Farewell, Osmond. Heaven guard you andstrengthen you to be his shield and his defence!"