The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-09-27
THE
LION OF FLANDERS;
OR THE
BATTLE OF THE GOLDEN SPURS.
THE
BY HENDRIX CONSCIENCE.
Continued


Already at tho appointed hour the Flemish
knights, with their old Count, might be seen
standing in spacious hall of the royal palace
but without their arms, which they bad had to
lay aside in an antechamber. Joy and salts.
| faction shone upon their countenances, as
though they were congratulating themselves
beforehand on the promised pardon Robert
de Bethunes alone wore quite different ex-
preston from that of all the rest; on it were
to be read bitter annoyance and stiled rage
1t was only with difficulty that the valiant
Fleming could brook the insolent glances of
the French knights; and it was solely consid-
GRAFTON for his father that kept him from de-
manding an account from more than one of
them. The violence he was obliged to put
| upon himself caused n severe struggle in his
breast, and from time TO time an observant
eye might have remarked a convulsive clutch
| ing of his fingers, though grasping some
thing which they endeavorcd to crush.
Charles de Valois stood by the old Count in
friendly conversation with him, awaiting the
! moment when, at his brothers. command, he
should present the F1omings at the foot of the
throne. There were besides many abbots and
bishops present in the hall; as also some of the
good burgesses of Compiegne, who had pur-
posely been invited to attend the ceremany.
While all present were busily talking over
the affair of the Count Of Flanders, an old Pill |
grim entered the hall. Bat little indeed was
to be discerned of his countenance; for the |
broad brimmed hat, deeply pressed down upon
his brow, oversLadowed his visage, which was
moreover humby bent downward upon his
breast, with the eyes fixed upon the ground.
His figure was concealed under a wide upper
garment of brown stuff, and long stick, with
drinking vessel attached, supported his
travel-weary limbs. The prelates, as soon as
they observed him, came up to him, and
overwhelmed him with all kinds of ques-
tions. The one desired to know how
ii stood with the Christians in Syria,
another the last news of the Italian
wars q third inquired whether he had brought
back with him any precious relics of the
saints, and many other like questions were put
to him, such his character of Pilgrim sug-
gested. lie answered as might who had
ust returned from those distant parts, AID
lad so many wonders to relate, that all lis
ened to him with interest and respect. Al |
hOuGh the most of what he told was serious c
md even moving, yet ever and anon came an 3
Expression from his mouth of such comic force, '
hat the prelates themselves conld not refrain &
rom laughter. He soon had a circle of more b
han fifty persons about him, of whom some II
arried their veneration for his character SO b
ar, that they secretly passed their hands over k
is ample pilgrims coat in the hope of thus c.
the blessing OF Heaven. II
Aud yet the mysterious stranger was, in re
ruth, no pilgrim; the lands which he seemed
we'll to know he had indeed visited in his e.
outh bat that was long ago, and his memory in
id not always serve him and his imagination VI
ad to stand him in stead and often when he re
i'd of the wonders he had seen, he chuckled M
thin himself over the creduity of his he
,arers. The seeming palmer was, in truth, fu
iederik die Vos, who possessed in uDrivalled ris
ERECTION the art of Disgusting himself, and OF pl,
suming the most various forms and charac. Sta
RS. Putting no trust whatever in the royal tel
ord, and not choosing, he had told the
Count, that King Philip should trap the to
<, he had thus disguised himsek, in order TO sh,
cape the danger which he foresaw. in.
And now the king and queen entered the cla
II, with numerous train of knights and dai
ges, and took their seats upon the throne. Fr
'St of the Frsnch knishts ranged themselves tire
ing the walls; the rast stood together at the thi
,ther end q the hail, ard near them the kir