in spite of Richard's remonstrances, he was carried
from the hall, roaring and kicking, and locked up alone in an empty room.

"Let him alone for the present," said Sir Eric, putting the Duke aside,
"when he knows his master, we shall have peace."

Here Richard had to turn, to reassure Carloman, who had taken refuge in a
dark corner, and there shook like an aspen leaf, crying bitterly, and
starting with fright, when Richard touched him.

"Oh, do not put me in the dungeon. I cannot bear the dark."

Richard again tried to comfort him, but he did not seem to hear or heed.
"Oh! they said you would beat and hurt us for what we did to you! but,
indeed, it was not I that burnt your cheek!"

"We would not hurt you for worlds, dear Carloman; Lothaire is not in the
dungeon--he is only shut up till he is good."

"It was Lothaire that did it," repeated Carloman, "and, indeed, you must
not be angry with me, for my mother was so cross with me for not having
stopped Osmond when I met him with the bundle of straw, that she gave me
a blow, that knocked me down. And were you really there, Richard?"

Richard told his story, and was glad to find Carloman could smile at it;
and then Fru Astrida advised him to take his little friend to bed.
Carloman would not lie down without still holding Richard's hand, and the
little Duke spared no pains to set him at rest, knowing what it was to be
a desolate captive far from home.

"I thought you would be good to me," said Carloman. "As to Lothaire, it
serves him right, that you should use him as he used you."

"Oh, no, Carloman; if I had a brother I would never speak so of him."

"But Lothaire is so unkind."

"Ah! but we must be kind to those who are unkind to us."

The child rose on his elbow, and looked into Richard's face. "No one
ever told me so before."

"Oh, Carloman, not Brother Hilary?"

"I never heed Brother Hilary--he is so lengthy, and wearisome; besides,
no one is ever kind to those that hate them."

"My father was," said Richard.

"And they killed him!" said Carloman.

"Yes," said Richard, crossing himself, "but he is gone to be in peace."

"I wonder if it is happier there, than here," said Carloman. "I am not
happy. But tell me why should we be good to those that hate us?"

"Because the holy Saints were--and look at the Crucifix, Carloman. That
was for them that hated Him. And, don't you know what our Pater Noster
says?"

Poor little Carloman could only rep