tremendous there--and now and
then a stone dashed against the sides of the deep window.

Nearly at the same moment as Richard entered by one door, Count Bernard
de Harcourt came in from the other, and there was a slight lull in the
tumult.

"What means this, my Lords?" exclaimed the King. "Here am I come in all
good will, in memory of my warm friendship with Duke William, to take on
me the care of his orphan, and hold council with you for avenging his
death, and is this the greeting you afford me? You steal away the child,
and stir up the rascaille of Rouen against me. Is this the reception for
your King?"

"Sir King," replied Bernard, "what your intentions may be, I know not.
All I do know is, that the burghers of Rouen are fiercely incensed
against you--so much so, that they were almost ready to tear me to pieces
for being absent at this juncture. They say that you are keeping the
child prisoner in his own Castle and that they will have him restored if
they tear it down to the foundations."

"You are a true man, a loyal man--you understand my good intentions,"
said Louis, trembling, for the Normans were extremely dreaded. "You
would not bring the shame of rebellion on your town and people. Advise
me--I will do just as you counsel me--how shall I appease them?"

"Take the child, lead him to the window, swear that you mean him no evil,
that you will not take him from us," said Bernard. "Swear it on the
faith of a King."

"As a King--as a Christian, it is true!" said Louis. "Here, my boy!
Wherefore shrink from me? What have I done, that you should fear me?
You have been listening to evil tales of me, my child. Come hither."

At a sign from the Count de Harcourt, Sir Eric led Richard forward, and
put his hand into the King's. Louis took him to the window, lifted him
upon the sill, and stood there with his arm round him, upon which the
shout, "Long live Richard, our little Duke!" arose again. Meantime, the
two Centevilles looked in wonder at the old Harcourt, who shook his head
and muttered in his own tongue, "I will do all I may, but our force is
small, and the King has the best of it. We must not yet bring a war on
ourselves."

"Hark! he is going to speak," said Osmond.

"Fair Sirs!--excellent burgesses!" began the King, as the cries lulled a
little. {11} "I rejoice to see the love ye bear to our young Prince! I
would all my subjects were equally loyal! But wherefore dread me, as if
I were come