et faded from his
check--yet still, with his bright blue eyes, glad face, and upright form,
he was a princely, promising boy, and the Norman knights looked at him
with pride and joy, more especially when, unprompted, he said: "I thank
you, gallant knights, for coming to guard me. I do not fear the whole
French host now I am among my own true Normans."

Sir Eric led him to the door of the hall to the top of the steps, that
the men-at-arms might see him; and then such a shout rang out of "Long
live Duke Richard!"--"Blessings on the little Duke!"--that it echoed and
came back again from the hills around--it pealed from the old tower--it
roused Osmond from his sleep--and, if anything more had been wanting to
do so, it made Richard feel that he was indeed in a land where every
heart glowed with loyal love for him.

Before the shout had died away, a bugle-horn was heard winding before the
gate; and Sir Eric, saying, "It is the Count of Harcourt's note," sent
Bertrand to open the gates in haste, while Alberic followed, as Lord of
the Castle, to receive the Count.

The old Count rode into the court, and to the foot of the steps, where he
dismounted, Alberic holding his stirrup. He had not taken many steps
upwards before Richard came voluntarily to meet him (which he had never
done before), held out his hand, and said, "Welcome, Count Bernard,
welcome. Thank you for coming to guard me. I am very glad to see you
once more."

"Ah, my young Lord," said Bernard, "I am right glad to see you out of the
clutches of the Franks! You know friend from foe now, methinks!"

"Yes, indeed I do, Count Bernard. I know you meant kindly by me, and
that I ought to have thanked you, and not been angry, when you reproved
me. Wait one moment, Sir Count; there is one thing that I promised
myself to say if ever I came safe to my own dear home.
Walter--Maurice--Jeannot--all you of my household, and of Sir Eric's--I
know, before I went away, I was often no good Lord to you; I was
passionate, and proud, and overbearing; but God has punished me for it,
when I was far away among my enemies, and sick and lonely. I am very
sorry for it, and I hope you will pardon me; for I will strive, and I
hope God will help me, never to be proud and passionate again."

"There, Sir Eric," said Bernard, "you hear what the boy says. If he
speaks it out so bold and free, without bidding, and if he holds to what
he says, I doubt it not that he shall not grieve for