The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-27

feigned to sleep upon which Maria turned to
Matilda and said
81 think, Lady Matilda, we had better now
leave my brother alone, that he may sleep, and
not be tempted to speak too much, which the
desire of expressing his gratitude to you,
might, fear, lead him to do"
The two damsels left the room together
and presently afterwards the Surgeon presented
himself at the door, and was conducted by
Maria to her brother.
"Well, Sir Adolf" said Roger cheerfully'
" how goes it with youf Better, see. Now
all the danger is over, and you are safe for this
time. There is no need of my dressing your
| wound again at present: only drink copiously
of this beverage, keep as quiet as you can, and
in less than a month you and will take a
walk together. That is my proguostic, if no
unforeseen accident -retard your recovery.
Meanwhi as your mind is in better ease than
your body, have no objection to Lady Maria
informing you of the sad events that have
happened while you have been confined to
your bed but pray you, do not lose your self
command, and keep yourself calm"
Maria drew forward two chairs, upon which
she and Master Roger took their places at the
head of the bed; while Adolf regarded them
| with the greatest curiosity, and with an evil
dent expression of anxiety upon his counte
nance.
.sLet me finish what have to say" begar
Maria, without interrupting me, and bea1
yoerself like a man, my brother. In that eve
ming which was unlucky for you, our Coun
called his faithful vaesals together, and de
| clared to them that he had resolved to set on
| for France and cast himself at King Phillips
| feet. So it was determined, and Guy of Elan
ders journeyed with his mol les to Compiegne
| but no sooner had they arrived than they wer'
all arrested and cast into prison, and now oul
land is under French rule. Raoul de Nesl'
governs Flanders"
The effect which this short narration pro
duced upon the knight was not so violent a
might have been expected. He made no an
swer, and seemed deeply sunk in thought.
"What a calamity is it not ~ added Mari;
at last.
so God !" exclaimed Adolf, " what felicit.
hast thou then in store for Guy of Flanders
that he must reach it through such miserie
and humiliations? But tell me, Maria, is oul
Lion also prisoner 2"
"Yes, my brother, Lord Robert de Bethune
is in prison at Bourges, and Lord William a
Rouen. Of all the mobiles that were with tn
Count, one alone has escaped this unhappy 10
the cunning Diederik."
"Now understand the unfinished sentenc
and the constant tears of the unhappy Matilda
Without father, without family, the daughte
of the Count of Flanders has to seek shelte
with strangers"
And he spoke, his eyes lighted up, and
glow of indignation passed over his counter
ance. After short pause, he went on:
"The precious child of my prince and maste
has watched over me as q guardian angel
She is deserted-unhappy-a exposed to pei
secution but / will remember what owe
, the Lion, and watch over her the apple c
mine eye. o, what a great and glorious mis-
sion is it which has fallen to my lot! Ho
- precious to ME now is the life which ca
devote to her servicew
Then, after short moment of deep medit
ton, cloud suddenly passed over his coul
tenance; he cast look of supplication on b
physician, and said:
= 80 heavens, how grevous my woun'
to me now! how intolerable this copfinemen
My worthy friend, Master Roger, do, for Il
: love of God, hasten my recovery all you ca
that may be able to do something for h
who has 80 lovingly tended me on my bed
u
costliest, procure them, if only 1 may t.
- sooner rise from my bed for now feel as if
- could rest no longer"
"But, Sir Adolf" answered Roger, :" there
- no possibility of Fastening your recovery fro
such a wound nature must have time to uni
the severed parts. Patience and rest will
n more for you than all the drugs in the worl
9 But this is not all that we had to say to 20
: You must know THAT the French are maste
- throughout the land, and are strengthenil
" themselves in it every day. Hitherto we ha
Y succeeded in concealing our young Lady NJ
tilda from them; but we dread every day le
- she should be discovered and then she t
u might fall into the hands of the wicked Que
of France"
d "Truly you are right Master Roger" e
claimed Adolf; "they would have 40 pity up
p her. But what shall we do7 O, what a m
" cry, to lie stretched out here, when all t
e strength 1 have, all the help can give 10
a much wanted ="