bread and meat. "What should you say, my Lord,
if we should sup in Normandy to-morrow night?"

"In Normandy!" cried Richard, springing up and clapping his hands. "In
Normandy! Oh, Osmond, did you say in Normandy? Shall we, shall we
really? Oh, joy! joy! Is Count Bernard come? Will the King let us go?"

"Hush! hush, sir! It must be our own doing; it will all fail if you are
not silent and prudent, and we shall be undone."

"I will do anything to get home again!"

"Eat first," said Osmond.

"But what are you going to do? I will not be as foolish as I was when
you tried to get me safe out of Rollo's tower. But I should like to wish
Carloman farewell."

"That must not be," said Osmond; "we should not have time to escape, if
they did not still believe you very ill in bed."

"I am sorry not to wish Carloman good-bye," repeated Richard; "but we
shall see Fru Astrida again, and Sir Eric; and Alberic must come back!
Oh, do let us go! O Normandy, dear Normandy!"

Richard could hardly eat for excitement, while Osmond hastily made his
arrangements, girding on his sword, and giving Richard his dagger to put
into his belt. He placed the remainder of the provisions in his wallet,
threw a thick purple cloth mantle over the Duke, and then desired him to
lie down on the straw which he had brought in. "I shall hide you in it,"
he said, "and carry you through the hall, as if I was going to feed my
horse."

"Oh, they will never guess!" cried Richard, laughing. "I will be quite
still--I will make no noise--I will hold my breath."

"Yes, mind you do not move hand or foot, or rustle the straw. It is no
play--it is life or death," said Osmond, as he disposed the straw round
the little boy. "There, can you breathe?"

"Yes," said Richard's voice from the midst. "Am I quite hidden?"

"Entirely. Now, remember, whatever happens, do not move. May Heaven
protect us! Now, the Saints be with us!"

Richard, from the interior of the bundle heard Osmond set open the door;
then he felt himself raised from the ground; Osmond was carrying him
along down the stairs, the ends of the straw crushing and sweeping
against the wall. The only way to the outer door was through the hall,
and here was the danger. Richard heard voices, steps, loud singing and
laughter, as if feasting was going on; then some one said, "Tending your
horse, Sieur de Centeville?"

"Yes," Osmond made answer. "You know, since we lost our grooms, the poor