the little duke-第17章
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； or if any of the great nobles took the least notice of the little Duke； and whenever he was out of hearing； talked against him with all his natural spitefulness。
Richard liked Lothaire quite as little； contemning almost equally his cowardly ways and his imperious disposition。 Since he had been Duke； Richard had been somewhat inclined to grow imperious himself； though always kept under restraint by Fru Astrida's good training； and Count Bernard's authority； and his whole generous nature would have revolted against treating Alberic； or indeed his meanest vassal； as Lothaire used the unfortunate children who were his playfellows。 Perhaps this made him look on with great horror at the tyranny which Lothaire exercised； at any rate he learnt to abhor it more； and to make many resolutions against ordering people about uncivilly when once he should be in Normandy again。 He often interfered to protect the poor boys； and generally with success； for the Prince was afraid of provoking such another shake as Richard had once given him； and though he generally repaid himself on his victim in the end； he yielded for the time。
Carloman； whom Richard often saved from his brother's unkindness； clung closer and closer to him； went with him everywhere； tried to do all he did； grew very fond of Osmond； and liked nothing better than to sit by Richard in some wide window…seat； in the evening； after supper； and listen to Richard's version of some of Fru Astrida's favourite tales； or hear the never…ending history of sports at Centeville； or at Rollo's Tower； or settle what great things they would both do when they were grown up； and Richard was ruling Normandyperhaps go to the Holy Land together； and slaughter an unheard…of host of giants and dragons on the way。 In the meantime； however； poor Carloman gave small promise of being able to perform great exploits； for he was very small for his age and often ailing； soon tired； and never able to bear much rough play。 Richard； who had never had any reason to learn to forbear； did not at first understand this； and made Carloman cry several times with his roughness and violence； but this always vexed him so much that he grew careful to avoid such things for the future； and gradually learnt to treat his poor little weakly friend with a gentleness and patience at which Osmond used to marvel； and which he would hardly have been taught in his prosperity at home。
Between Carloman and Osmond he was thus tolerably happy at Laon； but he missed his own dear friends； and the loving greetings of his vassals； and longed earnestly to be at Rouen； asking Osmond almost every night when they should go back； to which Osmond could only answer that he must pray that Heaven would be pleased to bring them home safely。
Osmond； in the meantime； kept a vigilant watch for anything that might seem to threaten danger to his Lord； but at present there was no token of any evil being intended； the only point in which Louis did not seem to be fulfilling his promises to the Normans was； that no preparations were made for attacking the Count of Flanders。
At Easter the court was visited by Hugh the White； the great Count of Paris； the most powerful man in France； and who was only prevented by his own loyalty and forbearance； from taking the crown from the feeble and degenerate race of Charlemagne。 He had been a firm friend of William Longsword； and Osmond remarked how； on his arrival； the King took care to bring Richard forward； talk of him affectionately； and caress him almost as much as he had done at Rouen。 The Count himself was really kind and affectionate to the little Duke； he kept him by his side； and seemed to like to stroke down his long flaxen hair； looking in his face with a grave mournful expression； as if seeking for a likeness to his father。 He soon asked about the scar which the burn had left； and the King was obliged to answer hastily； it was an accident； a disaster that had chanced in a boyish quarrel。 Louis； in fact； was uneasy； and appeared to be watching the Count of Paris the whole time of his visit； so as to prevent him from having any conversation in private with the other great vassals assembled at the court。 Hugh did not seem to perceive this； and acted as if he was entirely at his ease； but at the same time he watched his opportunity。 One evening； after supper； he came up to the window where Richard and Carloman were； as usual； deep in story telling； he sat down on the stone seat； and taking Richard on his knee； he asked if he had any greetings for the Count de Harcourt。
How Richard's face lighted up！ 〃Oh； Sir；〃 he cried； 〃are you going to Normandy？〃
〃Not yet； my boy； but it may be that I may have to meet old Harcourt at the Elm of Gisors。〃
〃Oh； if I was but going with you。〃
〃I wish I could take you； but it would scarcely do for me to steal the heir of Normandy。 What shall I tell him？〃
〃Tell him；〃 whispered Richard； edging himself close to the Count； and trying to reach his ear； 〃tell him that I am sorry； now； that I was sullen when he reproved me。 I know he was right。 And； sir； if he brings with him a certain huntsman with a long hooked nose； whose name is Walter； ｛12｝ tell him I am sorry I used to order him about so unkindly。 And tell him to bear my greetings to Fru Astrida and Sir Eric； and to Alberic。〃
〃Shall I tell him how you have marked your face？〃
〃No；〃 said Richard； 〃he would think me a baby to care about such a thing as that！〃
The Count asked how it happened； and Richard told the story； for he felt as if he could tell the kind Count anythingit was almost like that last evening that he had sat on his father's knee。 Hugh ended by putting his arm round him； and saying； 〃Well； my little Duke； I am as glad as you are the gallant bird is safeit will be a tale for my own little Hugh and Eumacette ｛13｝ at homeand you must one day be friends with them as your father has been with me。 And now； do you think your Squire could come to my chamber late this evening when the household is at rest？〃
Richard undertook that Osmond should do so； and the Count； setting him down again； returned to the dais。 Osmond； before going to the Count that evening； ordered Sybald to come and guard the Duke's door。 It was a long conference； for Hugh had come to Laon chiefly for the purpose of seeing how it went with his friend's son； and was anxious to know what Osmond thought of the matter。 They agreed that at present there did not seem to be any evil intended； and that it rather appeared as if Louis wished only to keep him as a hostage for the tranquillity of the borders of Normandy； but Hugh advised that Osmond should maintain a careful watch； and send intelligence to him on the first token of mischief。
The next morning the Count of Paris quitted Laon； and everything went on in the usual course till the feast of Whitsuntide； when there was always a great display of splendour at the French court。 The crown vassals generally came to pay their duty and go with the King to Church； and there was a state banquet； at which the King and Queen wore their crowns； and every one sat in great magnificence according to their rank。
The grand procession to Church was over。 Richard had walked with Carloman； the Prince richly dressed in blue； embroidered with golden fleur…de…lys； and Richard in scarlet； with a gold Cross on his breast； the beautiful service was over； they had returned to the Castle； and there the Seneschal was marshalling the goodly and noble company to the banquet； when horses' feet were heard at the gate announcing some fresh arrival。 The Seneschal went to receive the guests； and presently was heard ushering in the noble Prince； Arnulf； Count of Flanders。
Richard's face became palehe turned from Carloman by whose side he had been standing； and walked straight out of the hall and up the stairs； closely followed by Osmond。 In a few minutes there was a knock at the door of his chamber； and a French Knight stood there saying； 〃Comes not the Duke to the banquet？〃
〃No；〃 answered Osmond： 〃he eats not with the slayer of his father。〃
〃The King will take it amiss； for the sake of the child you had better beware；〃 said the Frenchman； hesitating。
〃He had better beware himsel
