. The little duke: Richard the fearless . greeting to Sir Eric, orto any within the hall, the Count of Harcourtcame forward to Richard, bent his knee beforehim, took his hand, and said with a broken voiceand heaving breast, Richard, Duke of Nor-mandy, I am thy liegeman and true vassal;then rising from his knees while Rainulf deFerrieres went through the same form, the oldman covered his face with his hands and weptaloud. Is it even so ? said the Baron de Centeville ;and being answered by a mournful look and sighfrom Ferrieres, he too bent before the boy, andrepeated the words, I am thy liegema
. The little duke: Richard the fearless . greeting to Sir Eric, orto any within the hall, the Count of Harcourtcame forward to Richard, bent his knee beforehim, took his hand, and said with a broken voiceand heaving breast, Richard, Duke of Nor-mandy, I am thy liegeman and true vassal;then rising from his knees while Rainulf deFerrieres went through the same form, the oldman covered his face with his hands and weptaloud. Is it even so ? said the Baron de Centeville ;and being answered by a mournful look and sighfrom Ferrieres, he too bent before the boy, andrepeated the words, I am thy liegeman and truevassal, and swear fealty to thee for my castle andbarony of Centeville. Oh, no, no ! cried Richard, drawing back hishand in a sort of agony, feeling as if he was in afrightful dream from which he could not awake. What means it ? Oh ! Fru Astrida, tell me whatmeans it ? Where is my father ? Alas, my child ! said the old lady, puttingher arm round him, and drawing him close to her,whilst her tears flowed fast, and Richard stood,. THE OATH OK THK ii THE LITTLE DUKE 23 reassured by her embrace, listening with eyesopen wide, and deep oppressed breathing, to whatwas passing between the four nobles, who spokeearnestly among themselves, without much heedof him. The Duke dead!): repeated Sir Eric deCenteville, like one stunned and stupefied. Even so, said Rainulf, slowly and sadly, andthe silence was only broken by the long-drawnsobs of old Count Bernard. But how ? when ? where ? broke forth SirEric, presently. There was no note of battlewhen you went forth. Oh, why was not I at hisside ? He fell not in battle, gloomily replied SirRainulf. Ha ! could sickness cut him down so quickly ? It was not sickness, answered Ferrieres. Itwas treachery. He fell in the Isle of Pecquigny,by the hand of the false Fleming! Lives the traitor yet ? cried the Baron deCenteville, grasping his good sword. He lives and rejoices in his crime/ saidFerrieres, safe in his own merchant towns,
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, bookpublisherlondon, bookyear191
