The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-04

first, you must know that this noble lady is
the Lady Matilda, the daughter of Lord Rob

| O'b uo DttnuHc
Breydel, in much surprise, threw himself OF
one knee before Matilda, lifted his eyes to ber
and exclaimed:
Most illustrious lady, forgive me the ran
| dom speech l have heedlessiy used in youi
| presence. Let not the noble daughter of ou,
| lord the Lion remember it against me-"
"Rise, master" answered Matilda gra
ciousiy "you have said nothing could take
amiss. Your words were inspired by love foI
our country, and hatred against its enemies
i thank you for your faithful allegiance"
Gracious Countess" pursued Breydel, ri
sing, your ladyship cannot imagine how bit
ter are my feelings against the Lilyards and
French tax gatberers. o that 1 could avenge
the wrongs of the House of Flanders 20 that
could! But the Dean of the Clothworkers
here is always against me perhaps be is right,
for late is not never; but it is difficult for me
to keep back. Tomorrow the false Queen Jo-
anna comes to Bsuges but unless God gives
me other thoughts than have now, she shall
never see France again"
Master" said Matilda. /" will you promise
me what auI going to ask of your
Promise you, lady say rather that you
command me, and 1 will obey. Every word
of yours shall be sacred to me, illustrious prn-
cess.r
Then l desire Of yon that you shall do
nothing TO break the peace while the new
princess is in tho city"
$50 be it," answered Breydel, sorrowf fully.
IL had rather your ladyship had called upon
me to use my or my knife however, it's a
long lane that has no turning, and if to-day is
for them, tomorrow may be for u.s."
Then bow his 1,pa haCo ba
princess, he added,
beg and pray of you, noble daughter of
our Lion, not to forget your servant Breydel,
whenever you have need of strong arms and
stout hearts The Butchers Company will
keep their 'good-days' and knives ready
ground for your SERVICE"
The maiden started somewhat at an offer
which savored SO much of blood ; but never
theless she replied in a tone of satifaction.
Master" she answered, al will not forget
to make your fidelity known to my lord and
father, when God shall restore him to me for
myself, l cannot sufficiently express my thanks
to you"
The Dean of the Butchers rose, and taking
Deconinck by the arm, they went out together
Long after they had left the house this unex-
pectcd visit formed topic of conversation for
it's inmates.
As soon as the two Deans Were in the street
Deconinck began:
" Master Jan, you know that the Lion of
Flanders has always been the friend of the
people /; it is therefore our bounden duty to
watch over his daughter sacred deposit"
"What need of so many words about it ?"
answered Breydel " the first Frenchman tn at
dare but look askance at her shall make &C
quaintance with my cross knife But, Master
Peter, would it not be the best plan to close
the gates. and not let Joanna into the town 7
All my butchers are ready, the good days
stand behind the doors, and at the first word
every Lilyard will be packed to -"
Beware of any violence !" interrupted De-
coninck. "To receive ones prince magnioently
is the custom every where; that can do no dis
honor to the commons. 1t is better to reserve
our strength for occasions of more Importance.
Our country is at present swarming with for
eigu troops, and we might very easily get the
worst of it,"
But, master, this is terribly slow work
Let us just cut the knot with q good knife, in
stead of taking all this time to unite it you
understand me-"
II understand you well enough but that
will not do. Caution. Breydel, is the best
knife; it cuts slowly, but it never blunts aud
never breaks. Suppose you do shut the gates
what have you gained thenf Listen, and take
my word for it. Let the storm go by little
aud things get quiet let us wait till part ot
the foreign troops are gone back to France ;
let the French and the Lilyards have their own
way . little, and then they will be less on their
guard"
"No!" cried Breydel, "that must not be
They are already beglnning to be insolent and
despotic more than enough. They plunder all
the country round about, and treat us burghere
"s though we were their slaves"
" SO much the better, Master Jan so much
the betterw
50 much the better, what do you mean by
that Say, master, have you turned your
coat and do yon mean to use your fox's wit
To betray us' know not, but it seems to me
that you begin to smell very strong of lilies -
g No no, friend Jan! but just bethink you,
that the more there is to rritate, the nearer is