He rode four leagues, and met one of the baser sort of
Rouennais, whom he bribed to hide him in the Isle of Willows. However,
Bernard made close inquiries, found the fellow had been seen in speech
with a French horseman, pounced on his wife and children, and threatened
they should die if he did not disclose the secret. So the King was
forced to come out of his hiding-place, and is now fast guarded in
Rollo's tower--a Dane, with a battle-axe on his shoulder, keeping guard
at every turn of the stairs."

"Ha! ha!" cried Richard. "I wonder how he likes it. I wonder if he
remembers holding me up to the window, and vowing that he meant me only
good!"

"When you believed him, my Lord," said Osmond, slyly.

"I was a little boy then," said Richard, proudly. "Why, the very walls
must remind him of his oath, and how Count Bernard said, as he dealt with
me, so might Heaven deal with him."

"Remember it, my child--beware of broken vows," said Father Lucas; "but
remember it not in triumph over a fallen foe. It were better that all
came at once to the chapel, to bestow their thanksgivings where alone
they are due."

CHAPTER X

After nearly a year's captivity, the King engaged to pay a ransom, and,
until the terms could be arranged, his two sons were to be placed as
hostages in the hands of the Normans, whilst he returned to his own
domains. The Princes were to be sent to Bayeux; whither Richard had
returned, under the charge of the Centevilles, and was now allowed to
ride and walk abroad freely, provided he was accompanied by a guard.

"I shall rejoice to have Carloman, and make him happy," said Richard;
"but I wish Lothaire were not coming."

"Perhaps," said good Father Lucas, "he comes that you may have a first
trial in your father's last lesson, and Abbot Martin's, and return good
for evil."

The Duke's cheek flushed, and he made no answer.

He and Alberic betook themselves to the watch-tower, and, by and by, saw
a cavalcade approaching, with a curtained vehicle in the midst, slung
between two horses. "That cannot be the Princes," said Alberic; "that
must surely be some sick lady."

"I only hope it is not the Queen," exclaimed Richard, in dismay. "But
no; Lothaire is such a coward, no doubt he was afraid to ride, and she
would not trust her darling without shutting him up like a demoiselle.
But come down, Alberic; I will say nothing unkind of Lothaire, if I can
help it."

Richard met the Princes in