The Little Duke: Richard the Fearless

as hostages in the hands of the Normans, whilst he returned to his own domains. The Princes were to be sent to Bayeux; whither Richard had

nd make him happy," said Richard; "b

ou may have a first trial in your father's last les

flushed, and he

ade approaching, with a curtained vehicle in the midst, slung between two horses.

rd, no doubt he was afraid to ride, and she would not trust her darling without shutting him up l

h such becoming courtesy, that Fru Astrida pressed her son's arm, and bade him

ing his attendant, Charlot, to follow him, he marched into the hall, vouchsafing neither word nor look

the litter, saw Carloman crouchin

y. Come out! It is I-your own Richa

at the outstretched hand

back! Do not let the

here. You are my guest, my friend, my brot

eeping you captive. She wept and raved, and the crue

I will love you, and you shall have all that is mine, if you will only not cry, dear Carlom

gure, high cap, and wrinkled face, were to him witch-like, and as she knew no French, he understood not her kind words. However, he l

re nothing to be had in this old de

vil way of speaking, and answered, that he thought t

easant drinks! I bade them bring

ced it back, and answered that it would soon be ready, and Carloman looke

w that if they dare to cross us, my father will treat them as they

ey are not in seas

hing I like? I tell you it

llet roasting,

t care for pullets-I

th that boy, my name is no

rida, "but the little one moves my heart. How small and weakly he is

d kind as a maiden, with that feeble, timid child. He coaxed him to eat, consoled him, and, instead of laughi

sly. No one moved to obey him, and the dog, i

ck it with his foot. The dog growled,

not what else you do, but my dogs an

ill! Ha! who laughs there?" cried the

ormans here," said the rough voice of Walter the huntsman: "

aire had caught up a footstool, and was aimin

reaks, held him fast by both hands, in spite of his passionat

you to know, young Sir, Prince though you be, you are our prisoner, and s

but he had little chance with the stalwart young warrior, and, in spite of Richard's remonstra

r Eric, putting the Duke aside, "when he

efuge in a dark corner, and there shook like an aspen leaf, cry

in the dungeon. I c

r or heed. "Oh! they said you would beat and hurt us for what

Carloman; Lothaire is not in the dunge

for my mother was so cross with me for not having stopped Osmond when I met him with the bund

o take his little friend to bed. Carloman would not lie down without still holding Richard's hand, and the

arloman. "As to Lothaire, it serves him rig

had a brother I would

aire is s

e kind to those wh

d looked into Richard's face. "

an, not Bro

lengthy, and wearisome; besides, no on

was," sai

lled him!" s

ossing himself, "but he

said Carloman. "I am not happy. But tell me

cifix, Carloman. That was for them that hated Him

tion of its meaning-in which Richard had been carefully instructed by Father Lucas. He be

room, already dark, with a pine torch in his hand, that so flickered in the wind,

aire," he sa

is your turn now, it will be mine by and by. I wish

e of you to speak so, when I only came out of kindness to you-so I

bered what he had said to Carloman. He knew he could not sleep in his warm bed when Lothaire was in that cold gusty

bolt, and called, "Prince, Prince, I am sorry I w

u mean?" sa

show you the way. Where is your hand? Oh, how co

-arms; at the upper hearth there was only Hardigras, who raised his head as the boys came in. Richard's whisper and soft pat quieted him instantly, and the two little Pri

f I am in

uld be my gues

ill; I can

aciously met, and, having little encouragement to sa