The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-11-15

Surely you are taking adishonorable revenge "
| "Let me Alone" answered Breydel; you
do not know that these some of the very
rascals who struck me on the cheek! But lis
ten what is thasi Don't you hear yonder
among the ruins the sound as of WON ans
cries. The thought is distraction but it was
| by this very road that the villains carried off
the Lady Matilda!7
With these words he leaped from his horse
and, without even stopping to secure it, started
off at full speed toward the ruins. His friend
proceeded to follow him without delay but SO
much more deliberately, that Breydel was al
ready within the castle yard before Deconinck
had dismounted and fastened the horses to the
roadside. The nearer Breydel drew to the
ruins, the more distinctly he heard the lament
atoms of a female voice; but finding as he
advanced, all further access barred, and unable
at the instant to discern any entrance, he
hastily mounted upon heap of rubbish, and
so obtained view into the interior of the
chamber from which, he imagined, the
sounds proceeded. At the first glance he re-
cognized Matilda but the black knight who
forcibly held her in his arms. and whom with
such desperate energy she sought to repulse
tfor she was again endeavoring to leave the
SooSpb oPoa WHICH CAuauStlou EaLnSf IMAM
slumber had for q while retained herr was
altogether unknown to him, and could there
fore appear to him only in the light of an as
sailant. Instantly he drew forth his axe from
under his garment, climbed upon the window
sill and dropped like stone into the chamber.
"Villain n he cried, advancing upon the
knight, base Frenchman! you have lived
your time; you shall not have laid hands
unpublished upon the daughter of the Lion, my
lord and prince"
The knight.stood amazed at the sudden ap-
partition, not having in the instant perceived
the manner of the butchers entrance, and for
moment he made no answer to his threats !;
quickly recovering himself, however, he re-
piled:
"You are mistaken, Master Breydel; am q
true son of Flanders. Be calm the Lions
daughter is already avenged"
Breydel knew not what to think: his excited
feelings had hardly yet subsidized. Neverthe-
less, the knights words, spoken in the Flem-
ish tongue, and by one who seemed to know
him we'll, were not without effect. Matilda,
meanwhile, still in her delirium, and account
| ing the black knight her enemy, welcomed the
new conner with joy as her deliverer.
kill him !" she cried, with laugh of tri-
| umph kill him! He has shut up my father
in prison, and now, false caitiff that he is, he
is carrying me away to deliver me to the wicked
Joanna of Navarro. Fleming, why do you moi
aveuge the child of your ancient lords 7"
The black knight looked upon the nader
with sorrowful compassion. Unhappy girl ?
| he sighed, while tears filled his eyes.
az see that you love and pity the Lionf
| CT
hand forgive me. sir; did not know yo1
for q friend"
at this moment Deconinck appeared at thu
entrance of the chamber; but no sooner ha'
his eye fallen upon the scene which presente.
itself before him, than throwing up his hand
above his head with astonishment. and thei
casting himself upon his knees at the feet o
the black knight, he exclaimed:
80 heavens! our lord and prince, the Lion
"Our lord! our prince the Lion r' repeate
Breydel, hastily following Deconinck's exam
pie, and kneeling by his side |; L" my God wba
have doneT
"Rise, my faithful Subjects" responde,
Robert; I have heard of all your noble effort
in your princes service" Then raising them
he proceeded:
"Look here upon the daughter of you
Count, and think how q fathers heart must b
torn at such q sight. And yet have nothin
wherewith to supply her Woodworking say
the shelter of these shattered walls, and tn
cold water of the brook. The Lord is indee
laying heavy trials upon me-"
BE pleased, noble Count" interposed Brey
del, "to give me your commands; 1 will pro
cure you all that you require. Accept, pray
the humble services of your liege subject"
He was already on his way towards the dool
when gesture of command from the Coun
suddenly arrested him.
CO." said Robert, " and seek physician
but let it be no Lilyard, and exact from hir
an oath that he will reveal nothing of what b
may see or hear"
"My lord" replied Breydel, with exuitatior
"I know precisely the man you want Their
is friend of mine, as warm Claward as an
in Flanders, who lives hard by, at Wardamme
will bring him thither immediately"
Go; but take heed net to utter my name T.
him ; let my presence here remain secret t.
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