."

"It is well," said Bernard: "young as he is, I had rather trust Osmond
with the child than any one else, for he is ready of counsel, and quick
of hand."

"Ay, and a pretty pass it is come to," muttered old Centeville, "that we,
whose business it is to guard the boy, should send him where you scarcely
like to trust my son."

Bernard paid no further attention to him, but, coming forward, required
another oath from the King, that Richard should be as safe and free at
his court as at Rouen, and that on no pretence whatsoever should he be
taken from under the immediate care of his Esquire, Osmond Fitz Eric,
heir of Centeville.

After this, the King was impatient to depart, and all was preparation.
Bernard called Osmond aside to give full instructions on his conduct, and
the means of communicating with Normandy, and Richard was taking leave of
Fru Astrida, who had now descended from her turret, bringing her hostage
with her. She wept much over her little Duke, praying that he might
safely be restored to Normandy, even though she might not live to see it;
she exhorted him not to forget the good and holy learning in which he had
been brought up, to rule his temper, and, above all, to say his prayers
constantly, never leaving out one, as the beads of his rosary reminded
him of their order. As to her own grandson, anxiety for him seemed
almost lost in her fears for Richard, and the chief things she said to
him, when he came to take leave of her, were directions as to the care he
was to take of the child, telling him the honour he now received was one
which would make his name forever esteemed if he did but fulfil his
trust, the most precious that Norman had ever yet received.

"I will, grandmother, to the very best of my power," said Osmond; "I may
die in his cause, but never will I be faithless!"

"Alberic!" said Richard, "are you glad to be going back to Montemar?"

"Yes, my Lord," answered Alberic, sturdily, "as glad as you will be to
come back to Rouen."

"Then I shall send for you directly, Alberic, for I shall never love the
Princes Carloman and Lothaire half as well as you!"

"My Lord the King is waiting for the Duke," said a Frenchman, coming
forward.

"Farewell then, Fru Astrida. Do not weep. I shall soon come back.
Farewell, Alberic. Take the bar-tailed falcon back to Montemar, and keep
him for my sake. Farewell, Sir Eric--Farewell, Count Bernard. When the
Normans come to conquer Arnulf you will l