to injure him? I, who came but to take counsel how to avenge
the death of his father, who brought me back from England when I was a
friendless exile. Know ye not how deep is the debt of gratitude I owe to
Duke William? He it was who made me King--it was he who gained me the
love of the King of Germany; he stood godfather for my son--to him I owe
all my wealth and state, and all my care is to render guerdon for it to
his child, since, alas! I may not to himself. Duke William rests in his
bloody grave! It is for me to call his murderers to account, and to
cherish his son, even as mine own!"

So saying, Louis tenderly embraced the little boy, and the Rouennais
below broke out into another cry, in which "Long live King Louis," was
joined with "Long live Richard!"

"You will not let the child go?" said Eric, meanwhile, to Harcourt.

"Not without provision for his safety, but we are not fit for war as yet,
and to let him go is the only means of warding it off."

Eric groaned and shook his head; but the Count de Harcourt's judgment was
of such weight with him, that he never dreamt of disputing it.

"Bring me here," said the King, "all that you deem most holy, and you
shall see me pledge myself to be your Duke's most faithful friend."

There was some delay, during which the Norman Nobles had time for further
counsel together, and Richard looked wistfully at them, wondering what
was to happen to him, and wishing he could venture to ask for Alberic.

Several of the Clergy of the Cathedral presently appeared in procession,
bringing with them the book of the Gospels on which Richard had taken his
installation oath, with others of the sacred treasures of the Church,
preserved in gold cases. The Priests were followed by a few of the
Norman Knights and Nobles, some of the burgesses of Rouen, and, to
Richard's great joy, by Alberic de Montemar himself. The two boys stood
looking eagerly at each other, while preparation was made for the
ceremony of the King's oath.

The stone table in the middle of the room was cleared, and arranged so as
in some degree to resemble the Altar in the Cathedral; then the Count de
Harcourt, standing before it, and holding the King's hand, demanded of
him whether he would undertake to be the friend, protector, and good Lord
of Richard, Duke of Normandy, guarding him from all his enemies, and ever
seeking his welfare. Louis, with his hand on the Gospels, "swore that so
he would."

"Amen!" r