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第11节

the little duke-第11节

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 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。

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