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There was Count Bernard; of Harcourt; called the 〃Dane;〃 {2} with his shaggy red hair and beard; to which a touch of grey had given a strange unnatural tint; his eyes looking fierce and wild under his thick eyebrows; one of them mis…shapen in consequence of a sword cut; which had left a broad red and purple scar across both cheek and forehead。  There; too; came tall Baron Rainulf; of Ferrieres; cased in a linked steel hauberk; that rang as he walked; and the men…at… arms; with helmets and shields; looking as if Sir Eric's armour that hung in the hail had come to life and was walking about。

They sat down to Fru Astrida's banquet; the old Lady at the Duke's right hand; and the Count of Harcourt on his left; Osmond carved for the Duke; and Richard handed his cup and trencher。  All through the meal; the Duke and his Lords talked earnestly of the expedition on which they were bound to meet Count Arnulf of Flanders; on a little islet in the river Somme; there to come to some agreement; by which Arnulf might make restitution to Count Herluin of Montreuil; for certain wrongs which he had done him。

Some said that this would be the fittest time for requiring Arnulf to yield up some towns on his borders; to which Normandy had long laid claim; but the Duke shook his head; saying that he must seek no selfish advantage; when called to judge between others。

Richard was rather tired of their grave talk; and thought the supper very long; but at last it was over; the Grace was said; the boards which had served for tables were removed; and as it was still light; some of the guests went to see how their steeds had been bestowed; others to look at Sir Eric's horses and hounds; and others collected together in groups。

The Duke had time to attend to his little boy; and Richard sat upon his knee and talked; told about all his pleasures; how his arrow had hit the deer to…day; how Sir Eric let him ride out to the chase on his little pony; how Osmond would take him to bathe in the cool bright river; and how he had watched the raven's nest in the top of the old tower。

Duke William listened; and smiled; and seemed as well pleased to hear as the boy was to tell。  〃And; Richard;〃 said he at last; 〃have you nought to tell me of Father Lucas; and his great book?  What; not a word?  Look up; Richard; and tell me how it goes with the learning。〃 {3}

〃Oh; father!〃 said Richard; in a low voice; playing with the clasp of his father's belt; and looking down; 〃I don't like those crabbed letters on the old yellow parchment。〃

〃But you try to learn them; I hope!〃 said the Duke。

〃Yes; father; I do; but they are very hard; and the words are so long; and Father Lucas will always come when the sun is so bright; and the wood so green; that I know not how to bear to be kept poring over those black hooks and strokes。〃

〃Poor little fellow;〃 said Duke William; smiling and Richard; rather encouraged; went on more boldly。  〃You do not know this reading; noble father?〃

〃To my sorrow; no;〃 said the Duke。

〃And Sir Eric cannot read; nor Osmond; nor any one; and why must I read; and cramp my fingers with writing; just as if I was a clerk; instead of a young Duke?〃  Richard looked up in his father's face; and then hung his head; as if half…ashamed of questioning his will; but the Duke answered him without displeasure。

〃It is hard; no doubt; my boy; to you now; but it will be the better for you in the end。  I would give much to be able myself to read those holy books which I must now only hear read to me by a clerk; but since I have had the wish; I have had no time to learn as you have now。〃

〃But Knights and Nobles never learn;〃 said Richard。

〃And do you think it a reason they never should?  But you are wrong; my boy; for the Kings of France and England; the Counts of Anjou; of Provence; and Paris; yes; even King Hako of Norway; {4} can all read。〃

〃I tell you; Richard; when the treaty was drawn up for restoring this King Louis to his throne; I was ashamed to find myself one of the few crown vassals who could not write his name thereto。〃

〃But none is so wise or so good as you; father;〃 said Richard; proudly。  〃Sir Eric often says so。〃

〃Sir Eric loves his Duke too well to see his faults;〃 said Duke William; 〃but far better and wiser might I have been; had I been taught by such masters as you may be。  And hark; Richard; not only can all Princes here read; but in England; King Ethelstane would have every Noble taught; they study in his own palace; with his brothers; and read the good words that King Alfred the truth…teller put into their own tongue for them。〃

〃I hate the English;〃 said Richard; raising his head and looking very fierce。

〃Hate them? and wherefore?〃

〃Because they traitorously killed the brave Sea King Ragnar!  Fru Astrida sings his death…song; which he chanted when the vipers were gnawing him to death; and he gloried to think how his sons would bring the ravens to feast upon the Saxon。  Oh! had I been his son; how I would have carried on the feud!  How I would have laughed when I cut down the false traitors; and burnt their palaces!〃  Richard's eye kindled; and his words; as he spoke the old Norse language; flowed into the sort of wild verse in which the Sagas or legendary songs were composed; and which; perhaps; he was unconsciously repeating。

Duke William looked grave。

〃Fru Astrida must sing you no more such Sagas;〃 said he; 〃if they fill your mind with these revengeful thoughts; fit only for the worshippers of Odin and Thor。  Neither Ragnar nor his sons knew better than to rejoice in this deadly vengeance; but we; who are Christians; know that it is for us to forgive。〃

〃The English had slain their father!〃 said Richard; looking up with wondering dissatisfied eyes。

〃Yes; Richard; and I speak not against them; for they were even as we should have been; had not King Harold the fair…haired driven your grandfather from Denmark。  They had not been taught the truth; but to us it has been said; 'Forgive; and ye shall be forgiven。'  Listen to me; my son; Christian as is this nation of ours; this duty of forgiveness is too often neglected; but let it not be so with you。 Bear in mind; whenever you see the Cross {5} marked on our banner; or carved in stone on the Churches; that it speaks of forgiveness to us; but of that pardon we shall never taste if we forgive not our enemies。  Do you mark me; boy?〃

Richard hesitated a little; and then said; 〃Yes; father; but I could never have pardoned; had I been one of Ragnar's sons。〃

〃It may be that you will be in their case; Richard;〃 said the Duke; 〃and should I fall; as it may well be I shall; in some of the contests that tear to pieces this unhappy Kingdom of France; then; remember what I say now。  I charge you; on your duty to God and to your father; that you keep up no feud; no hatred; but rather that you should deem me best revenged; when you have with heart and hand; given the fullest proof of forgiveness to your enemy。  Give me your word that you will。〃

〃Yes; father;〃 said Richard; with rather a subdued tone; and resting his head on his father's shoulder。  There was a silence for a little space; during which he began to revive into playfulness; to stroke the Duke's short curled beard; and play with his embroidered collar。

In so doing; his fingers caught hold of a silver chain; and pulling it out with a jerk; he saw a silver key attached to it。  〃Oh; what is that?〃 he asked eagerly。  〃What does that key unlock?〃

〃My greatest treasure;〃 replied Duke William; as he replaced the chain and key within his robe。

〃Your greatest treasure; father!  Is that your coronet?〃

〃You will know one day;〃 said his father; putting the little hand down from its too busy investigations; and some of the Barons at that moment returning into the hall; he had no more leisure to bestow on his little son。

The next day; after morning service in the Chapel; and breakfast in the hall; the Duke again set forward on his journey; giving Richard hopes he might return in a fortnight's time; and obtaining from him a promise that he would be very attentive to Father Lucas; and very obedient to Sir Eric de Centeville。



CHAPTER II



One evening Fru Astrida sat in her tall chair in the chimney corner; her distaff; with its load of flax in her hand; while she twisted and drew out the thread; and her spindle danced on the floor。  Opposite to her sat; sleeping in his chair; Sir Eric de Centeville; Osmond was on a low bench within the chimney corner; trimming and shaping with his knife some feathers of the wild goose; which were to fly in a different fashion from their former one; and serve; not to wing the flight of a harmless goose; but of a sharp arrow。

The men of the household sat ranged on benches on one side of the hall; the women on the other; a great red fire; together with an immense flickering lamp which hung from the ceiling; supplied the light; the windows were closed with wooden shutters; and the whole apartment had a cheerful appearance。  Two or three large hounds were reposing in front of the hearth; and among them sat little Richard of Normandy; now smoothing down their broad silken ears; now tickling the large cushions of their feet with the end of one of Osmond's feat

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