The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-20

|
and then to be kept prisoner, far away from
| his own land and people!
| CHAPTER ".
The evening was already far advanced
when Joanna of Navarro arrived at Compiegne;
! and while with threats and cunning she was
| e1torting from her yacillating husband the
sentence of condemnation upon the House of
Flanders, its unfortunate chief was sitting
with his mobiles in large room of his lodging
The wine passed round again and again in
silver goblets; and joyful hopes and pleasant
anticipations Termed the universal subject of
conversation. More than one point had al.
| ready been warmly discussed, when the door
opened, and Diederik die Vos, who, as Robert
de Bethuue's bosom friend, was lodged in the
| same house with the Counts family, entered
the apartment
For while he stood without speaking, look
ing at the old Count and his sons, first at one
then at the other. His countenance bore an
expression of deep affliction and intense COM
passion. Joyous and open as his bearing ever
was, his comrades were not q little terrified at
his unusual department; and they suspected
that some evil news must have reached him,
thus to overcast his countenance and disturb
his spirit.
Robert de Bethune was the first to give ex-
preston to this feeling in words. Have you
lost your tongue, Diederik 2" he exclaimed
"speak, and if you have bad news for us, spare
your jests, pray you"
" You need not fear my jesting, Lord Rob-
| ert." was the reply. "But know not how to
tell you what have to say /; cannot bear to
be a messenger of eviln
An expression of fear passed over the coun-
tenances of all present they regarded Died
erik with anxious curiosity. The latter, mean
while filled goblet with wine, drank it off,
aud then proceeded
"That will give me courage and in truth 1
wanted it. Listen, then, and forgive your
faithful servant Die Vos that it is from his
mouth you hear such news. You are all in
hopes of being graciously received by the
King, and not without reason, for he is a gen.
erous prince. The day before yesterday he
found pleasure in the thought of showing him
self maguanimous; but then he was not, as
now, possessed by evil spirits"
"What is it you say 7" cried his hearers in
establishment; I" is the king SO af1ictedH"
Is Sir Diederik," said Robert sharply, "a truce
to your flowers of rhetoric you have some
OhlhS 9OllouS w GciI uS,-UQ8G L can see, but 1t
does not seem to come readily from your lips'
You have said the truth, Lord Robert" an
swered Diederik hear then, my news, which
it sadly grieves me to have to bring: Joanna
of Navarro and Enguerrand De Marigny are at
Compiegnew
These names had a terrible effect on all the
company, who, as if suddenly struck dumb,
bowed their heads without speaking a word.
At last the young William lifted up his hands,
and cried despairingly,
Heavens! the cruel Joanna and Enguer-
rand De Marigny! oh, my poor sister my IA
Their, we are lostp
We'll, then, now You understand" said
Diederik; those are the evil spirits which
possess the good prince. You see most noble
Count that your servant Diederik was not SO
far wrong when he warned you at Wynandael
against this trap"
Who told you that the queen is at Com
piegne y asked the Count, as though he still
thought the matter doubtful.
My own eyesight," answered Diederik.
Ever fearing some underhand work (for put
no trust in their ble-tongued speeches), I
kept on the watch, with eyes and ears both
wide open. have seen Joanna of Navarro. |
seen her face, aud heard her voice. NV faith |
aud honor on the truth of what tell you.n
What Diederik tells US is doubtless the
TRUTH" said Walter of Lovendegbem Joanna |
is certainly at Compiegne, for he pledges his
honor that it is 80; and she will as certainly use
every effort to destroy our hopes from the king,
with whom her influence is, heaven knows
only too great. The best we can do is to con-
'ider with all speed how to get out of the tran;
when we are prisoners it will be too late"
The effect of this intelligence upon the old
count was such as to depress him even to de-
'pair. His position was so dangerous, that be
could find no outlet from it; escape seemed
impossible, for they were in the very heart sf
he kings territories, or at least too far from
FLANDERS to have any hope of safety in flight.
fobertde Bethune chafed like lion in the
oils, and cursed the journey which had thus
delivered him bound hand and foot into the
'ower of his enemies.