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

Yes, noble sir, your two illustrious brothers,
and also your faithful friend, John Of Renesse."
| 80 God! and may not embrace them !! Sir
Diederik die Vos has doubtless told you upon
what conditions have obtained this tempo
| rary freedom; and cannot expose the lives of
those to whom / owe it. Nevertheless, 1 must
| see my brothers will go with you, but with
visor down. Should Judge it necessary to
| make myself known, 1 will give you a sign,
and you shall then demand of all the knights
present q solemn pledge of secrecy as to who
| am. Till then will abstain from uttering
word"
-"Your will shall be executed, most noble
| sir, replied Deconinck +" be assured that You
| shall have to be satisfied with my
discretion. But see, the Lady Matilda seems
| to sleep. May the rest benefit her."
50 She is not really asleep, poor child she
does but slumber heavily from exhaustion.
But methinks 1 hear footsteps. Remember;
my helmet once again upon my head, you know
| me no longer" -
The next instant the physician entered, fol
| lowed by Breydel. Offering silent and re-
spectful greeting to the knight, he at once
proceeded to the patients side. After short
| examination of her state he declared that she
must be bled; and this having been done, and
the arm bound up. abe seemed again to slumber.
| "Sir," said the physician addressing himself
| to the black knight, who had turned away his
| face during tho operation 81 assure you that
! the young lady is ia no danger; with q mod
crate period of rest and quiet her senses will
return"
| Comforted by this assurance, the Count
| made sign to the two Deans, who thereupon
followed him ont Of the chamber.
"Master Breydel," he said, "to your care
commit my child watch over the daughter of
your Count until return. And now, Mas
| ter Peter, let us make haste to the White
Thicket."
They quickly reached the appointed place.
| and here falling in with some dozen knights,
who were already anxiously awaiting Decon-
inck's arrival, the whole party entered the
| wood together. In this secluded spot were
assembled the chief men of the Flemish name
and nation among them John Count of Namur
and the younger Guy, two brothers of Count
Robert William of Juliers, their cousin, a
priest, and the provost of Aix-la-Chapelle !;
John of Renesse, the brave Zealander; John
| Borluut, the hero of Woeringen Arnold of
| Oudenarde, and Baldwin of Paperode. These,
and others of scarcely less note and conse-
quence, were here met together in their coun-
try's cause. The presence, however, of stran-
| ger (for such the black knight appeered to be)
occasioned them considerable uneasiness, and
the looks which they directed towards Decon-
inck evidently demanded an immediate expla-
nation this, therefore, he proceeded at once
to give.
"Illustrious sirs," he said, II bring you here
one of the nobest knights which our country
can boast; of the greatest enemies the
Frenchman has to dread. Certain weighty
reasons-reasons upsn which the life and death
of one of our best friends depeud-furbid him
fer the present from making himself known tc
you take it not amiss, therefore, that for TIL,
! present he keeps bis visor down, and main
tains a strict silence; for to many of You hi
voice is no less familiar than his countenance
: My long tried fidelity to our common caus
will vouch to you sufficiently that am bring
ing no false brother among you"
/ The knights wondered greatly at this strapg
declaration, and racked their memories for
name which might belong to the unknown
knight but one thought of the captiv,
Lion-for how was it possible that he shonlt
be heref Nevertheless Deconinck's assurance
was sufficient for them; and having taken al
, due precautions against surprise, they proceed
ed, without further delay, to the business O
, their meeting which was thus opened by thu
D Dean of the Clothworkers, who addressed him
self especially to the two princes:
+" must first tell you, noble sirs," said he
how painfully the men of Bruges have beer
afflicted at the captivity of your noble father
/, our lawful Count. True it is that we hav,
often heretofore risen up against him in de
, fence of our rights and liberties, and doubtless
some of you may have imagined that we shoult
therefore take part with his enemies ; but o
; this be we'll assured-never will a free snt
l generous people endure q foreign master. This
, indeed, we have clearly shown for since King
Philips traitorous plot against our rightfu
lord, oftimes have we imperiled life and goods
, and made many Frenchman die the death il
penalty for his kings unprincely deed, Will,
; the streets of Bruges have streamed will
Flemish blood. This being so, have ventured
noble sirs, to kindle in your hearts the hopes
that animate my own of a speedy and genera