tuary.

"What can be the crime of one so aged and feeble?" said the Duke, in
surprise.

At the sight of him, a look of terror shot from the old man's eye. He
clasped his hands together, and turned as if to flee; then, finding
himself incapable of escape, he threw himself on the ground before him.

"Mercy, mercy! noble, most noble Duke!" was all he said.

"Rise up--kneel not to me. I cannot brook this from one who might be my
father," said Richard, trying to raise him; but at those words the old
man groaned and crouched lower still.

"Who art thou?" said the Duke. "In this holy place thou art secure, be
thy deed what it may. Speak!--who art thou?"

"Dost thou not know me?" said the suppliant. "Promise mercy, ere thou
dost hear my name."

"I have seen that face under a helmet," said the Duke. "Thou art Arnulf
of Flanders!"

There was a deep silence.

"And wherefore art thou here?"

"I delayed to own the French King Hugh. He has taken my towns and
ravaged my lands. Each Frenchman and each Norman vows to slay me, in
revenge for your wrongs, Lord Duke. I have been driven hither and
thither, in fear of my life, till I thought of the renown of Duke
Richard, not merely the most fearless, but the most merciful of Princes.
I sought to come hither, trusting that, when the holy Father Abbot beheld
my bitter repentance, he would intercede for me with you, most noble
Prince, for my safety and forgiveness. Oh, gallant Duke, forgive and
spare!"

"Rise up, Arnulf," said Richard. "Where the hand of the Lord hath
stricken, it is not for man to exact his own reckoning. My father's
death has been long forgiven, and what you may have planned against
myself has, by the blessing of Heaven, been brought to nought. From
Normans at least you are safe; and it shall be my work to ensure your
pardon from my brother the King. Come into the refectory: you need
refreshment. The Lord Abbot makes you welcome." {17}

Tears of gratitude and true repentance choked Arnulf's speech, and he
allowed himself to be raised from the ground, and was forced to accept
the support of the Duke's arm.

The venerable Abbot slowly rose, and held up his hand in an attitude of
blessing: "The blessing of a merciful God be upon the sinner who turneth
from his evil way; and ten thousand blessings of pardon and peace are
already on the head of him who hath stretched out his hand to forgive and
aid him who was once his most grievous foe!"