The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-12-13


heroic deeds of the Lion of Flanders at Bene-
ventum. You cannot imagine with what love,
with what admiration, they regard him at
whose name the armies Of France have 30 often
trembled. Were Robert to seek to escape with
out the permission of the CASTELAR,, their mas
ter, doubtless they wonld prevent him. But |
assure you,-and I know we'll the noble souls
of those warriors, who have grown grey be-
| meath their coats of mail,-that they would /
shed their last drop of blood for him whom
they revere, were but hair Of his head threat |
ened. Fear not, then; the life Of your father |
is assured /; and, but for the sorrow he felt on |
account eff your sad fate, he would have borne
his captivity in patience"
"You bring me such good tidings, my friend
your words sink so consolingly into my re- !
leved heart-tbat seem to drink in fresh life
from your smile. Speak still, if it be only
that I may hear the accents of yonr voice."
"And yet fairer hopes has the Lion given
me for you, Matilda. 1t may be the deliver
ance of your father is very at hand it
| may be that yon will very soon be with him,
and all your dear relations, in the beautiful
| Wynandael"
| "What are you saying, Adolf7 1t is your
friendship that prompts these words; but do
not mock me with hope of bliss that is i'm
possible"
| "Be not thus unbelieving. Listen to the
grounds of this joyful hope. You know that
Charles de Valois, that noblest of Frenchmen,
has drawn the bravest Of the knights after
him into Italy. He has not forgotten at the
court of Rome that he is the guiltless cause of
the captivity of your relatives. 1t has been q
bitter thought to him, that he himself, like
traitor, had delivered his friend and companion
in arms, the Lion of Flanders, into the hands
of his enemies; and he has been striving, in
every possible way, to effect his liberation.
, Ambassadors have been already sent from Pope
Boniface to King Philip the Fair, and have de-
manded of him, with urgency, the release of
your father and of all your relatives. The
Holy Father is sparing no effort to restore to
Flanders its rghtful princes; and the court OF
= France seems already inclined to peace. Let
. us embrace this consoling hope, my dear
i, friend"
a "Yes indeed, Adolf, gladly m ght we surren
!. der ourselves to these consoling thoughts; br
- why should we flatter ourselves with hopes 81
- decetful Will not the King Of France aveng.
,f his fallen soldiers 7 Will not De Chatillon, ou
- most rancorous enemy, goad 'on his terribl,
r niece Joannaf Think, then, Adolf, what paDg
r cannot this bloodthirsty woman imagine, t.
n
n. Torment not yourself, for your fears ar
., without foundation. Probably the horribl
death of his soldiers has convinced Philip tn
Fair that the Flemings will never bow thei
10 free necks to the yoke of the alien. His ow
interest will constrain him to set at liberty on
y. y. country's lords; otherwise he will lose th
W fairest ief of his crown. You see, noble dan
~ sci, that everything is propitious to u.s."
GU "Yes, yes, Adolf; in your presence all m
% sorrows melt away and disappear utterl!
a' Your speech is SO full of comfort, you awake
10 such sweetly echoing tones in my heart"
le- They conversed thus a loug time PEACEFUL
gu together On their fears AID their hopes. Whe
mt Adolf had given Matilda all the informatio
u.s. in his power, aud had filed her heart wit
're comfort, he turned with brotherly love to h
No sister, and held with her q soothing discours
les which attuned them all to gladness and seren
Ut ut ty. Matilda forgot her bygone sufierings; at
'i'' breathed freely aud with courage, and tt
veins, which were spread over her checks iii
rs; delicate network, were filled with warm,
IN blood.
Suddenly they heard a loud tumult in Il
street q thousand voices rang from the TO
DO of the houses, and the jubilant shouts of Il
III" crowd were mingled in indstinguishable co
'ne fusion /; only at intervals the cry intel
on gible amidst the joyous clapping of hand
leu FLANDERS, the Lion hail. hail to our Count
no Adolf and the two madens had drawn
the window they saw the countless b eads
he the crowds Fastening to the market-plac
nj Women and children swelled the processo
which passed before the curious maidens Ii
my q billowy In another street resound
lou the tramp of multitude of horses, tn
ui- they were confirmed in their conjecture that
ses troop of cavalry had entered Bruges. VIII
ave they were discussing the probable reasons
L Is this popular commotion, a servant announc
eep the arrival of n messenger, who crayed
me. audience and who entered the room immed
da' tely on receiving permission.
; 1 1t was q youthful page, a delicate be
ad- whose features bore a peculiar expression
innocence and truthfulness he was clothed
ion black and blue silk, set off with manifold s
ha 60 klo Lat