The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-01-24
sasrnIng Star and Catholic Messenger.
NRw eRLrA us. SUNDAY JANUARY .. 1873.


MRw ORLEANS. SUNDAY, JANUARY "a 1875.
->~~~N,~>~>->
Robert would have preferred leaving his
daughter in the care of the nuns for he feared,
with reason, that the sight OF the dying knight
would completely overwhelm her: yet he
could not deny her urgent prayers; he took
her, therefore, by the hand, and said:
"Be it so, my daughter; go with me and
visit the unfortunate Adolf. But, pray You,
disturb him not by your grief; think that God
has this day bestowed on o great mercy,
and that He may be justly provoked to anger
by your despair.
Ere these words were ended they had left
the cell. Adolf had been brought into the re-
fectory of the monastery, end laid carefully
On q feather-bed upon the floor A priest,
well skilled in the healing art, had examined
him with care, and found no open wound
long blue stripes indicated the blows he had
received, and in many places were large
bruises and Commissions. He was bled; and
then his body was carefully washed, and
restorative baisom applied. Through the care
of the skillful priest he had recovered
measure of strength: but yet he seemed at the
point of death, although his eyes were no
longer SO dull and lustreless. Around his bed
stood many knights in deep silence, mourning
for their friend. John van Renesse, Arnold
van Oudenarde, and Peter Deconinck assisted
the priest in his operations; William van
aaliok, John Borluut, and Baldwin van Papen-
rode stood as tho left hand Of she couch, while
Guy, Jan Breydel, and the other moro illustri-
ous knights, gaEed on the wounded man with
choir heads bowed low in sorrow and in gym
pathy.
Maria was kneeling weeping near her
hrother she had seized his hand, and was
bedewing it with her tear, while Adolf bent on
her an unsteady and almost vacant look. As
Robert and his daughter entered the refectory,
the knights were all struck with wonder and
emotion. He, who had come in their hour of
need, their mysterious deliverer, was the Lion
of Flanders, their Count! They all bowed
before him with profound reverence, and said:
''Honor to the Lion, our Lord !"
Robert left his daughter's hand, raised Mes
sires John Borlunt and Van Renesse from the
ground, and kissed both of them on the cheek;
no then beckoned to tho other knights to rise,
and addressed them thus:
"My true and loyal vassals, my friends, you
have shown me to-day how mighty is nation
of heroes! I wear my coronet now with q
loftier pride than that with which Philip the
Fair wears the crown of France for of you
may we'll boast and glory"
He then approached Adolf, took his hand,
and looked at him for some time in silence (; o
tear glistened awhile beneath each eyelid of
the Lion, and at length dropped-a pearl Of
pEice-upon the ground. Matilda was kneel-
ing ut tho head of Adolfs couch ehe had
taken her green veil from his hand ; and her
tears fell hot end fast upon this token of her
aAsstion, snd Of his self-saeriflce and devoted
ness. She spoke not y word she did not even
teal o look Mt Adolf but covered her face
with heE hands, and weps bitterly.
Tho prieat. too, stood motionless, his eye
xkoodily fastened on tho wounded knight. He
marked some wonderful change passing over
his features; something which, increasing
every moment, spoke of returning life and
vigor. And in truth his eyes had lost their
fixed and CLASSY expression, and his oounte-
nance no longer bore the signs of approaching
death. Soon he raised his eyes to Robert, with
o look of intense love and devotion; and said
slowly, and with @ voice brokeB by suffering
and weakness,
ooh, my lord and count! your presence is to
me q sweet consolation. Now 1 can die in
peace Our fatherland is free You
will occupy the Lions throne in peaceful and
happy days Gladly do 1 now quit
this earth, now that the future promises so
much happiness to you and to your noble
daughter. Oh, believe me, in this my hour Of
death. your mischances were more grievous to
me, your unworthy servant, than to yourself
Often have /, in the still night, moistened my
bed with my tears, as thought of the mourn
fol lot of the noble Matilda, and of your cap
tivity 9" Then turning his head slight
~ towards Matilda, he made her tears aow yet
moro abundantly, as he said:
"Weep not, noble maiden +; I merit not this
tender compassion. There is another life than
thisI There it is my hope and trust shall
geo my good sister again. Remain on earth
the stay and solaoe of your fathers old age
and sometimes in your prayers think of your
brother who must quit you"
Suddenly he stopped, and looked around him
in establishment.