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the little duke-第21节

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〃You said; I trust; my son; that we follow not the laws of Odin?〃 said Fru Astrida。

〃I had no space for a word; grandmother; the Danes took the vengeance on themselves。  In one moment they rushed on Herluin with their axes; and the unhappy man was dead。  All was tumult; every one struck without knowing at whom; or for what。  Some shouted; 'Thor Hulfe!' some 'Dieu aide!' others 'Montjoie St。 Denis!'  Northern blood against French; that was all our guide。  I found myself at the foot of this standard; and had a hard combat for it; but I bore it away at last。〃

〃And the Kings?〃

〃They hurried out of the tent; it seems; to rejoin their men。  Louis mounted; but you know of old; my Lord; he is but an indifferent horseman; and the beast carried him into the midst of the Danes; where King Harald caught his bridle; and delivered him to four Knights to keep。  Whether he dealt secretly with them; or whether they; as they declared; lost sight of him whilst plundering his tent; I cannot say; but when Harald demanded him of them; he was gone。〃

〃Gone! is this what you call having the King prisoner?〃

〃You shall hear。  He rode four leagues; and met one of the baser sort of Rouennais; whom he bribed to hide him in the Isle of Willows。 However; Bernard made close inquiries; found the fellow had been seen in speech with a French horseman; pounced on his wife and children; and threatened they should die if he did not disclose the secret。  So the King was forced to come out of his hiding…place; and is now fast guarded in Rollo's towera Dane; with a battle…axe on his shoulder; keeping guard at every turn of the stairs。〃

〃Ha! ha!〃 cried Richard。  〃I wonder how he likes it。  I wonder if he remembers holding me up to the window; and vowing that he meant me only good!〃

〃When you believed him; my Lord;〃 said Osmond; slyly。

〃I was a little boy then;〃 said Richard; proudly。  〃Why; the very walls must remind him of his oath; and how Count Bernard said; as he dealt with me; so might Heaven deal with him。〃

〃Remember it; my childbeware of broken vows;〃 said Father Lucas; 〃but remember it not in triumph over a fallen foe。  It were better that all came at once to the chapel; to bestow their thanksgivings where alone they are due。〃



CHAPTER X



After nearly a year's captivity; the King engaged to pay a ransom; and; until the terms could be arranged; his two sons were to be placed as hostages in the hands of the Normans; whilst he returned to his own domains。  The Princes were to be sent to Bayeux; whither Richard had returned; under the charge of the Centevilles; and was now allowed to ride and walk abroad freely; provided he was accompanied by a guard。

〃I shall rejoice to have Carloman; and make him happy;〃 said Richard; 〃but I wish Lothaire were not coming。〃

〃Perhaps;〃 said good Father Lucas; 〃he comes that you may have a first trial in your father's last lesson; and Abbot Martin's; and return good for evil。〃

The Duke's cheek flushed; and he made no answer。

He and Alberic betook themselves to the watch…tower; and; by and by; saw a cavalcade approaching; with a curtained vehicle in the midst; slung between two horses。  〃That cannot be the Princes;〃 said Alberic; 〃that must surely be some sick lady。〃

〃I only hope it is not the Queen;〃 exclaimed Richard; in dismay。 〃But no; Lothaire is such a coward; no doubt he was afraid to ride; and she would not trust her darling without shutting him up like a demoiselle。  But come down; Alberic; I will say nothing unkind of Lothaire; if I can help it。〃

Richard met the Princes in the court; his sunny hair uncovered; and bowing with such becoming courtesy; that Fru Astrida pressed her son's arm; and bade him say if their little Duke was not the fairest and noblest child in Christendom。

With black looks; Lothaire stepped from the litter; took no heed of the little Duke; but; roughly calling his attendant; Charlot; to follow him; he marched into the hall; vouchsafing neither word nor look to any as he passed; threw himself into the highest seat; and ordered Charlot to bring him some wine。

Meanwhile; Richard; looking into the litter; saw Carloman crouching in a corner; sobbing with fright。

〃Carloman!dear Carloman!do not cry。  Come out!  It is Iyour own Richard!  Will you not let me welcome you?〃

Carloman looked; caught at the outstretched hand; and clung to his neck。

〃Oh; Richard; send us back!  Do not let the savage Danes kill us!〃

〃No one will hurt you。  There are no Danes here。  You are my guest; my friend; my brother。  Look up! here is my own Fru Astrida。〃

〃But my mother said the Northmen would kill us for keeping you captive。  She wept and raved; and the cruel men dragged us away by force。  Oh; let us go back!〃

〃I cannot do that;〃 said Richard; 〃for you are the King of Denmark's captives; not mine; but I will love you; and you shall have all that is mine; if you will only not cry; dear Carloman。  Oh; Fru Astrida; what shall I do?  You comfort him〃 as the poor boy clung sobbing to him。

Fru Astrida advanced to take his hand; speaking in a soothing voice; but he shrank and started with a fresh cry of terrorher tall figure; high cap; and wrinkled face; were to him witch…like; and as she knew no French; he understood not her kind words。  However; he let Richard lead him into the hall; where Lothaire sat moodily in the chair; with one leg tucked under him; and his finger in his mouth。

〃I say; Sir Duke;〃 said he; 〃is there nothing to be had in this old den of yours?  Not a drop of Bordeaux?〃

Richard tried to repress his anger at this very uncivil way of speaking; and answered; that he thought there was none; but there was plenty of Norman cider。

〃As if I would taste your mean peasant drinks! I bade them bring my supperwhy does it not come?〃

〃Because you are not master here;〃 trembled on Richard's lips; but he forced it back; and answered that it would soon be ready; and Carloman looked imploringly at his brother; and said; 〃Do not make them angry; Lothaire。〃

〃What; crying still; foolish child?〃 said Lothaire。  〃Do you not know that if they dare to cross us; my father will treat them as they deserve?  Bring supper; I say; and let me have a pasty of ortolans。〃

〃There are nonethey are not in season;〃 said Richard。

〃Do you mean to give me nothing I like?  I tell you it shall be the worse for you。〃

〃There is a pullet roasting;〃 began Richard。

〃I tell you; I do not care for pulletsI will have ortolans。〃

〃If I do not take order with that boy; my name is not Eric;〃 muttered the Baron。

〃What must he not have made our poor child suffer!〃 returned Fru Astrida; 〃but the little one moves my heart。  How small and weakly he is; but it is worth anything to see our little Duke so tender to him。〃

〃He is too brave not to be gentle;〃 said Osmond; and; indeed; the high…spirited; impetuous boy was as soft and kind as a maiden; with that feeble; timid child。  He coaxed him to eat; consoled him; and; instead of laughing at his fears; kept between him and the great bloodhound Hardigras; and drove it off when it came too near。

〃Take that dog away;〃 said Lothaire; imperiously。  No one moved to obey him; and the dog; in seeking for scraps; again came towards him。

〃Take it away;〃 he repeated; and struck it with his foot。  The dog growled; and Richard started up in indignation。

〃Prince Lothaire;〃 he said; 〃I care not what else you do; but my dogs and my people you shall not maltreat。〃

〃I tell you I am Prince!  I do what I will!  Ha! who laughs there?〃 cried the passionate boy; stamping on the floor。

〃It is not so easy for French Princes to scourge free…born Normans here;〃 said the rough voice of Walter the huntsman:  〃there is a reckoning for the stripe my Lord Duke bore for me。〃

〃Hush; hush; Walter;〃 began Richard; but Lothaire had caught up a footstool; and was aiming it at the huntsman; when his arm was caught。

Osmond; who knew him well enough to be prepared for such outbreaks; held him fast by both hands; in spite of his passionate screams and struggles; which were like those of one frantic。

Sir Eric; meanwhile; thundered forth in his Norman patois; 〃I would have you to know; young Sir; Prince though you be; you are our prisoner; and shall taste of a dungeon; and bread and water; unless you behave yourself。〃

Either Lothaire did not hear; or did not believe; and fought more furiously in Osmond's arms; but he had little chance with the stalwart young warrior; and; in spite of Richard's remonstrances; he was carried from the hall; roaring and kicking; and locked up alone in an empty room。

〃Let him alone for the present;〃 said Sir Eric; putting the Duke aside; 〃when he knows his master; we shall have peace。〃

Here Richard had to turn; to reassure Carloman; who had taken refuge in a dark corner; and there shook like an aspen leaf; crying bitterly; and starting with fright; when Richard touched him。

〃Oh; do not put me in the dungeon。  I cannot bear the dark。〃

Richard again tried to comfort him; but he did not seem to hear or heed。  〃Oh! they said you would beat and hurt us for what we did to you! but; indeed; it was not I that burnt your cheek!〃

〃We would not hurt you for worlds; dear Carloman; Lothaire is not in the du

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