The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-25

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know all that You have done to soften my
hard lot. Have not seen that my well-being
has been the one constant subject of your
thoughtsf And now You are about to take my
fathers place within his dungeon walls-to
risk your very life for him and me- UDgracious
that have been,-thankless as must have
seemed how have deserved so much 7"
An unusual fire sparkled in the eyes of the
young knight, and communicated itself to his
| speech. In the exultation of his feelings, he
| exclaimed
Does not the ancient blood of the Counts
of Flanders flow within your veins Are Won
| not the beloved danghte of the Liou,-of him
who is the glory of common country. the
benefactor to WHOM, can never sufficiently
| express my gratitude : My blood, my life, are
devoted to your illustrious house and all that
the Lion of Flanders loves is sacred to me.n
While Matilda was tiilregarding him with
astonishment, a servant came to announce the
arrival of the stranger priest. Immediately
after the father himself entered the apartment.
Hail to thee, illustrious daughter of the
Lion our lord" he began, making 10 WY rev.
erence, and at the same time throwing back
his cowl.
The sound of his voice instantly attracted
Matildas attention. She eyed him with close
scrutiny, and anxiously taxed her memory to
recatt the name of one whose accents sounded
so familiar to her ear. Suddenly she seized
him by the hand, and with eyes flashing with
delight passionately exclaimed:
Heavens! / see before me my fathers bosom
friend ! thought that all besides Sir Adolf
here had deserted US; but now, thanks be to
God, He has sent me o second protector!n
Diederik die Vos stood aghast his art had
failed before woman's eye. With an air of
something like chagrin, he threw off his beard,
and now stood in his own character before his
youthful friends then turning to Matilda.
In truth, LADY," he exclaimed, ST must al
low that your sight is sharp and piercing I
may now as well resume my natural voice. I
had rather, indeed, have remained unrecop-
nized for the disguise which you have pene
trated is of the last necessity for my noble
masters veal. pray you, therefore, be careful
how you breathe a hint of who really am it
might cost me my life, and, what is of greater
moment, defeat the mission l have in hand.
Your countenance, lady, witnesses to the suf
ferings of your heart; but if our hopes do not
deceive US, your sorrow will soon be over
Nevertheless, should your fathers captivity be
> cease
our trust in the justice of Heaven Meanwhile.
L have seen the Lord Robert, and conversed
with him. His lot is much allevated by the
courtesy of the CASTELAR, in whose charge he
is; for the present, therefore, your heart may
be at ease regarding him."
81" But tell me all he said, Sir Diederik de-
scribe his prison to me, and how he occupies
his time that may havo the pleasure of pic.
turing it all to myself since as yet cannot see
him."
Therenpon Dederk began q minute descrip. |
ton of the castle of Bourges; and related cir |
cumstsr TALLY to the lady all that he tLoupbt
could interest her; answering with ready sym.
pathy her most trivial questions, and comfort |
ing her with the hope of u happier future.
Adolf mean while had left the room to inform |
his sister CT the journey he was about to un
dertake. and to give direction for horse and
armor to be in readiness. He had also charged
a confidential servant to inform Deconinck and |
Breydel of his absence, that they might keep
closer watch over their young princess; pre-
however, which was not, in fact
necessary since Diederik die vos lad already |
measures with them to that end
AS soon as the young knight returned, Died
erik rose from his seat Now, Sir Adolf"
ooiu ho, nave nOI muCn time TO spare
allow me, therefore, before set out, to throw
little moro age into your countenance. Sit |
down, and let me have my own way, and fear |
not; shall do notbiag that will harm YOU"
Adolf accordingly took q seat in front of |
Diederik, and leaned his head back W ards Ma
tilda, quite at loss to understand the scene be-
fore her looked on in astonishment; with Gu
rious eye she followed Diederik's fingers, as he
traced many deep line on Adolrs youthful
visage and darkened it's complexion. Her as
tonisment increased as, at every stroke of the
pencil, Adolfs countenance gradually chan ged
It's expression and assumed something that re-
minded her of her fathers features. At last
The work was completed, and Dederik desired
his patient to stand up and show himself.
There, it is done," said he, "you are as like
the Lord Robert now as if the same mother had
borne you and if did not know the work of
my own hands, should make my obeisance to
Tou as the noble Lion in person.