The National tribune., 1888-11-29

an oTphah' W ltl u uFoopiHg nead ana slack
hold upon his bridle-rein he rode on slowly
and in silence across the valley and up the
winding path which led to the castle gate.
Osmond also grew sad and silent, in sympa-
thy with the grief of his idolized young Lord
and more than once ho saw the Flemish bur-
CHER lifting his bent head to cast glance at
Richard, and put up his hand and touch his
eyes as if to brush away a tear.
But 0smond of Centoyille was too light of
heart to be long under the influence of such
feelings Hesoon reused himself, and seemed to
shake Oft his sorrowful reflections Putting
his bugle-horn to his lips, he sounded clear,
musical trill, something like a bar of Bonnie
Dundee" which he repeated several times as
they rode up the hill.
Every Lord in those days had his own peeu-
liar note of warning by which his coming was
made known as he drew near the castle or the
camp, and this was Richards note.
In response to the well known summons half
a score of grooms and pages came forth to meet
the young Duke as he rode in beneath the arched
stone gateway; for, it was time of peace,
the gates were standing open, though the
warders were ever on the watch, ready to close
them in a moments notice in case of an enemy's
approach.
A JOYOUS CLABTOR FILLED THE COURTYARD.
Ajoyous clamor and confusion filled the court
yard of the castle when Richard and his train
appeared with the trophies of the hunt. The
din of shouts and laughter, the clashing of the
horses hoofs, aud the merry music of the hunt
ing-horns, made noise enough to drown the
usual tones of conversation; and the Flemish
burgher therefore could not feel sighted
because no one spoke to him until the hustle of
arrival had subsidized. He watched the scene
with an interest which was deepened by his
painful eagerness to note some circumstance,
however triAing that might encourage him to
hope for the success of his mission to CentO-
vile.
A bright, spirited looking boy, about 10 years
old, with brown hair falling to his shoulders,
and dressed in a scarlet tunic enriched with
silk embroidery, came bounding to the young
Dukes side and held the stirrup while he dis
mounted from his saddle. Richard smiled
upon him, and spoke to him so kindly that the
anxious burgher murmured TO himself:
" He has gentle heart, this boy Duke if
only his guardians and advisers have not
taught him to be harsh and pitiless to those
whom he deems his enemies"
Osmond of Centoville called out to the boy
in the good-natured, bantering tone of an elder
brother:
alberto, my lad, don't you wish You were
hunter2 Look here, and sec the great boar
that we have brought home for supper"
"Oh, what a big fellOw!' cried the little
boy, with wide eyes of awe and admiration.
Who killed him, Osmond ?"
% My Lord" said Osmond, laughing.
"What-all alone my Lord ?"
+" No, indeed | wish l had" laughed Rich
ard. But had my share In the butchering,
aud l will eat my share of him when he is
roasted, promise you"
" Did Osmond help to kill him ?" queried
Alberto, who. it will be observed possessed q
talent for asking incOnvenient questions al
most equal to that of the modern small boy.
O5mond looked rather uneasy, and Richard
answered briefly:
No, Osmond was not quite quick enough"
And evading any further inquiries, he contin-
ued: {" see it is almost supper-time. Say,
Alberto, has the Count arrived2"
Not yet, my Lord"
"Oh, then we shall have time enough to
make ready before he comes; and so much the
better, for nobody wants to talk with Count
Bernard when he is hungry" said Richard,
with the gaity of youth.
The cloud which but so lately had rested on
his face had passed away, and he seemed no
longer sorrOwing orphan or the grave young
ruler of a noble realm, but simply a hearty
boy in hurry for supper-time.
But his laughing words appeared to strike
the Flemish burgher most unpleasantly. He
looked at 0smond, and as the Squire approach
ed him with courteous air of attention, he
inquired:
Sieur de Centovlle?"
BERNARD THE DANE.
"Yes; he started in my fathers company,
but he was detained for few hours on the
way" the Squire made answer. Doubtless
he will be here before nightfall."
Alas!' exclaimed the burgher with a
movement of despair. Bernard the Dane
will have no mercy on a Fleming!"
"Oh, have no fear, Master Herman" said
Osmond in reassurisg accents. YOu will
not be likely to receive any hostile treatment
iaft 3rC 3
while you are under Richards protection"
1t is not for myself that l am afraid, ;" said
Master Herman. II am here to plead the
cause of another, as innocent as he is unfortu-
nate; but he is Flemish, and Bernard will hate
him for that
| 81 thought you Intended making your plea
| to the Duke" said OSmond, somewhat curtly
g 1t is true that Bernard has no love for any.
! thing Flemish-but Bernard is not Duke OF
| Normandy"
They think he is in Flanders" was the
reply that rose to Master Herman's lips; but
he kept it back. for he perceived that Osmond
was inclined to resent the implied suspicion
that his young Lord might not WELD the full
measure of a Dukes authority.
Bernard de Harcourt, Count of Rouen-" Ber
nard the Dane" as he was called, being one o
those who came to Normandy with Harold
| King of Denmark-had been the trusted FRIEND
of William Longsword for many years, an(
after Williams death had been appointed
guardian of his son. He had ruled the Nor
mans in their young Dukes name-and ruled
them we'll and wisely-until Richard came o
age, according to the custom in such cases
at II.
TO an outsider, knowing Count Bernard
warlike spirit, his ability as a ruler, and th
iron force and hardness of his character, it wa
natural enough to fancy that he still kept tn
| Boy Duke under his control, and still directed
the affairs of Normandy with sway as undis
puted as when Richard was minor but
this was the burgher's idea, he was destined
shortly to discover his mistake
Instead of the remark which had first oc
Cured to him, he said, in answer to Osmond'
| utterance:
Doubtless, however, Count Bernard ha
great influence with the Duke"
Osmond rejoined:
He is a sage adviser, and the Duke depend
upon his counsel, as he we'll might if he wer
many years older, for so his father did; bu
you will not remain here very long, Maste
Herman, without learning that Richard has
mind and will of his own"
ITO be continuedl