n he reproved me. I know he was right. And, sir, if he brings
with him a certain huntsman with a long hooked nose, whose name is
Walter, {12} tell him I am sorry I used to order him about so unkindly.
And tell him to bear my greetings to Fru Astrida and Sir Eric, and to
Alberic."

"Shall I tell him how you have marked your face?"

"No," said Richard, "he would think me a baby to care about such a thing
as that!"

The Count asked how it happened, and Richard told the story, for he felt
as if he could tell the kind Count anything--it was almost like that last
evening that he had sat on his father's knee. Hugh ended by putting his
arm round him, and saying, "Well, my little Duke, I am as glad as you are
the gallant bird is safe--it will be a tale for my own little Hugh and
Eumacette {13} at home--and you must one day be friends with them as your
father has been with me. And now, do you think your Squire could come to
my chamber late this evening when the household is at rest?"

Richard undertook that Osmond should do so, and the Count, setting him
down again, returned to the dais. Osmond, before going to the Count that
evening, ordered Sybald to come and guard the Duke's door. It was a long
conference, for Hugh had come to Laon chiefly for the purpose of seeing
how it went with his friend's son, and was anxious to know what Osmond
thought of the matter. They agreed that at present there did not seem to
be any evil intended, and that it rather appeared as if Louis wished only
to keep him as a hostage for the tranquillity of the borders of Normandy;
but Hugh advised that Osmond should maintain a careful watch, and send
intelligence to him on the first token of mischief.

The next morning the Count of Paris quitted Laon, and everything went on
in the usual course till the feast of Whitsuntide, when there was always
a great display of splendour at the French court. The crown vassals
generally came to pay their duty and go with the King to Church; and
there was a state banquet, at which the King and Queen wore their crowns,
and every one sat in great magnificence according to their rank.

The grand procession to Church was over. Richard had walked with
Carloman, the Prince richly dressed in blue, embroidered with golden
fleur-de-lys, and Richard in scarlet, with a gold Cross on his breast;
the beautiful service was over, they had returned to the Castle, and
there the Seneschal was marshalling the goodly and noble