w's fortunes, for they lived in troubled times; the Barons of
the province were strong and haughty men, with little care for the
Prince, and no thought of obedience; each of them lived in his castle,
upon a small realm of his own; the people were much discontented with
the rule of the Barons, and the Duke saw plainly enough that if a prince
could arise who could win the confidence of the people, the Barons would
have but little power left. Thus his care was so to bring up the Prince
Renatus that he should understand how hard a task was before him; but
the boy, though quick of apprehension, was fond of pleasure and
amusement, and soon wearied of grave instructions; so the Duke did not
persist overmuch, but strove to make the little Prince love him and
confide in him, hoping that, when the day of trial came, he might be apt
to ask advice rather than act hastily and perhaps foolishly; but yet in
this the Duke had not perfectly succeeded, as he was by nature grave and
austere, and even his face seemed to have in it a sort of rebuke for
lively and light-minded persons. Still the Prince, though he was not at
ease with the Duke, trusted him exceedingly, and thought him wise and
good, even more than the Duke imagined.

The days had been full of feasting and pageants, and Renatus was greatly
excited and eager at finding himself in so great a place. He had borne
himself with much courtesy and dignity in his receiving of embassies and
such compliments; he had, too, besides the sweet gifts of youth and
beauty, a natural affectionateness, which led him to wish to please
those about him; and the Duke's heart was full of love and admiration
for the graceful boy, though there lay in the back of his mind a shadow
of fear; and this grew very dark when he saw two of the most turbulent
Barons speaking together in a corner, with sidelong glances at the
Prince, at one of the Court assemblies, and divined that they thought
the boy would be but a pretty puppet in their hands.

The custom was that the Prince, on the eve of his enthroning, should
watch for two hours alone in the chapel of the castle, from eleven to
one at night, and should there consecrate himself to God; the guests of
the evening were departed; and a few minutes before eleven the Duke sate
with the Prince in a little room off the chapel, waiting till it was
time for the Prince to enter the building. Renatus was in armour, as the
custom was, with a white robe over all. He sate r