The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-13
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
THE
OR THE
BY HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.


Count Guy and Charles de Valois were still
in front; no one had ventured to take the lead
of those two. Robert de Bethune, however,
and his brother William, were now riding on
the one side of their father; and, in like man
ner, Raoul'de Nesle and De Chatillon had taken
place alongside of their prince, who, at this
moment, with eyes fixed in deep COMMUNICATION
on the white hairs of the old count and the
depressed air of his son William,-was thus
speaking:
Il pray you, noble count, to believe that
your hard lot is a subject Of real grief and pity
to me- feel indeed your SORROWS as though
they were my OWE. Nevertheless. be still Of
good heart all'hope is not lost, and my royal
brother WILL I doubt not, upon my intercession,
forgive and forget the past"
"Messire de Valois," answered Guy, "you
deceive yourself greatly. Your king has been
heard to say, that to see the last day of Elan.
ders is his dearest wish. Is it not he that has
stirred up my subjects against me Is it not
he, moreover, that has cruelty torn my
daughter Phiiippa from my arms to shut her
up in a dungeon And think you that he will
again build up the edifce which he has, at the
cost of so much blood, cast down OF q truth
you deceive yourself. Philip the Fair, your
king and brother, will never give me back the
land he has taken from me. Your generosity,
noble sir, will remain recorded in my heart to
the last hour of my life; bat am too old to
fatter myself now with deceitful hopes My
reign is cver-so God has willed it,"
"You know not my royal brother Philip"
resumed De Valois; " true it is that his deeds
seem to witness against him bat assure you
his heact is as feeling and noble as that of
true knight ever should be-"
"But here Robert de Bethupe impatiently
broke ia-" What say you Noble9 Noble, as
that of true knight should be Does q true
knight break his pledged word and plighted
faith : When we, fearing no evil, came with
our peOr sister Phiitppa to Conway, did not
your king violate every law of hospitality, and
make prisoners of as ALI Was this the deed
of true knight or of traftori Say your
selfT
" Messire de Bethunep replied De Valois,
stupg by the reproacb, do not believe you
intend to affeont or annoy me-"
oh, now reioiued Robert, in a tone which
bespoke sincerely; "by my faith and honor,
that did not. Your generosity has made you |
dear to me but for all that who cannot with
good conscience uphold that your king is
rue knight"
Listen to me-" answered De Valois. al
ell you, nay, swear it to you, that there is not
better heart in the world than that of Philip
he Fair; but he Is surrounded by q troup of
piserable fatterers, and unhappily lends his
ar to them. Enguerrand dc Marigny is q
evil incarnate, who iDstigates him to all
vii and, then, there is another person who
ften leads the king astray, whose name-re-
pect fordds my uttering. but who is, in very
ruth. answerable for all you have had to
1fEer."
"Who may that BET" asked De Chatillon, Il
ct without desigu.
" Yon ask what every one knows, Messire de
hatillou, "crisd Robert de Bethune; " listen +
me, and will tell you. 1t is your niece, p
,snna of Navarro, that holds my unhappy ri
ster in captivity it is your niece. Joanna of "
avarre, that debsses the coin in France it is n
,ur niece, too, Joanna of Navarro, that has fe
7orn the destruction Of the Flemish freedom N
De Chatillon's rage at this retort knew no VI
,unds. Furiously wheeling round his horse
front Of Robert, he cried out in his face.
I" You liei false traitor that you arep 81
Touched in his honors tenderest point, d.
bert backed his horse few steps, Aad drew 81