ead them. O dear, dear Fru
Astrida, farewell again."

"Farewell, my own darling. The blessing of Heaven go with you, and bring
you safe home! Farewell, Osmond. Heaven guard you and strengthen you to
be his shield and his defence!"

CHAPTER VI

Away from the tall narrow gateway of Rollo's Tower, with the cluster of
friendly, sorrowful faces looking forth from it, away from the booth-like
shops of Rouen, and the stout burghers shouting with all the power of
their lungs, "Long live Duke Richard! Long live King Louis! Death to
the Fleming!"--away from the broad Seine--away from home and friends,
rode the young Duke of Normandy, by the side of the palfrey of the King
of France.

The King took much notice of him, kept him by his side, talked to him,
admired the beautiful cattle grazing in security in the green pastures,
and, as he looked at the rich dark brown earth of the fields, the Castles
towering above the woods, the Convents looking like great farms, the many
villages round the rude Churches, and the numerous population who came
out to gaze at the party, and repeat the cry of "Long live the King!
Blessings on the little Duke!" he told Richard, again and again, that his
was the most goodly duchy in France and Germany to boot.

When they crossed the Epte, the King would have Richard in the same boat
with him, and sitting close to Louis, and talking eagerly about falcons
and hounds, the little Duke passed the boundary of his own dukedom.

The country beyond was not like Normandy. First they came to a great
forest, which seemed to have no path through it. The King ordered that
one of the men, who had rowed them across, should be made to serve as
guide, and two of the men-at-arms took him between them, and forced him
to lead the way, while others, with their swords and battle-axes, cut
down and cleared away the tangled branches and briars that nearly choked
the path. All the time, every one was sharply on the look-out for
robbers, and the weapons were all held ready for use at a moment's
notice. On getting beyond the forest a Castle rose before them, and,
though it was not yet late in the day, they resolved to rest there, as a
marsh lay not far before them, which it would not have been safe to
traverse in the evening twilight.

The Baron of the Castle received them with great respect to the King, but
without paying much attention to the Duke of Normandy, and Richard did
not find the second place lef