my own
home!" Still the Epte was wide and deep, and the peril was not yet
ended. Osmond looked anxiously, and rejoiced to see marks of cattle, as
if it had been forded. "We must try it," he said, and dismounting, he
waded in, leading the horse, and firmly holding Richard in the saddle.
Deep they went; the water rose to Richard's feet, then to the horse's
neck; then the horse was swimming, and Osmond too, still keeping his firm
hold; then there was ground again, the force of the current was less, and
they were gaining the bank. At that instant, however, they perceived two
men aiming at them with cross-bows from the castle, and another standing
on the bank above them, who called out, "Hold! None pass the ford of
Montemar without permission of the noble Dame Yolande." "Ha! Bertrand,
the Seneschal, is that you?" returned Osmond. "Who calls me by my name?"
replied the Seneschal. "It is I, Osmond de Centeville. Open your gates
quickly, Sir Seneschal; for here is the Duke, sorely in need of rest and
refreshment."

"The Duke!" exclaimed Bertrand, hurrying down to the landing-place, and
throwing off his cap. "The Duke! the Duke!" rang out the shout from the
men-at-arms on the battlements above and in an instant more Osmond had
led the horse up from the water, and was exclaiming, "Look up, my Lord,
look up! You are in your own dukedom again, and this is Alberic's
castle."

"Welcome, indeed, most noble Lord Duke! Blessings on the day!" cried the
Seneschal. "What joy for my Lady and my young Lord!"

"He is sorely weary," said Osmond, looking anxiously at Richard, who,
even at the welcome cries that showed so plainly that he was in his own
Normandy, scarcely raised himself or spoke. "He had been very sick ere I
brought him away. I doubt me they sought to poison him, and I vowed not
to tarry at Laon another hour after he was fit to move. But cheer up, my
Lord; you are safe and free now, and here is the good Dame de Montemar to
tend you, far better than a rude Squire like me."

"Alas, no!" said the Seneschal; "our Dame is gone with young Alberic on a
pilgrimage to Jumieges to pray for the Duke's safety. What joy for them
to know that their prayers have been granted!"

Osmond, however, could scarcely rejoice, so alarmed was he at the extreme
weariness and exhaustion of his charge, who, when they brought him into
the Castle hall, hardly spoke or looked, and could not eat. They carried
him up to Alberic's bed, wher