The Prince and the Page: A Story of the Last Crusade

breaks the

re brother

r wrath of de

o'erpower."-C

found the tents already set up in their due order and rank, according to t

ularly appropriated to the pages' use. On lifting its curtain he was, however, dismayed to see a kirtle there, and imagining that he must have fallen upon the ladies' quarters, he was retreating with an a

led from a couch of mantles, "

rass lamp, hung by chains from the top of the tent. "Thi

with none of you idle-pated p

ave him-but the Prin

ch

though there were no one whom thou could

-," Richard made

e Jackanapes that sits on the luggag

burst out John; "I am

need no tendanc

ladies get, when we are not young and fa

g or old," petulantly

up, Richard; take

has the heats and the chills on him, and to

thing ailed him but the sea, and

uld be a mere ally of the Infidel! I tell thee, if the child is ever to see Dunster again, thou must watch him well, keep him from the sun

yes,

ll be creeping into our camp next. Tell me, is it eve

, she knew who every one was, and accounted for the history of each person she inquired after, back to the last generation-happy if it were not to the third-her conversation was not quickly over. She ended at last, by desiring Richard to give her patient some of a febrifuge, which she had brought wi

been a worse indignity than the being nursed by Dame Idonea; "let me have

er our good looks be past. But I'll look in on the child in early morn, thanks or no thanks; for I know his mother

all he meant was to express his distaste to Mother Jugge, the lavender (i.e. laundress), and his desire for Richard F

beyond their tents by day. The Prince's orders, however, strictly confined his army within its bounds, except that at twilight parties were sent ashore for water and provisions, under strict orders, however, to hold

disappointment at being balked of fighting with the Tunisians; and that instead of indignant grief at the perversion of the wrecked Crusade, he was only showing the sullenness of an aggrieved swordsman. Even young Philippe le Hardi,

as not won, even by the elder page's dutiful care and obedience to all her directions. Partly she viewed him as a rival in the affections of the patient-who, poor little fellow, would in his companion's absence be the child he was, and let her treat him like his mother, or old nurse, chattering to her freely about home, and his home-sick longings; whereas the instant any male companion appeared, he made it a point of honour to be the manly warrior and crusader, just succeeding so far as to be sullen instead of plaintive; though when left to Richard, he could again relax his dignity, and become natural and affectionate. But besides this species of jealousy, Richard suspected that Lady Osbright knew,

ageants that could be conceived. A wide lane of mailed soldiers was drawn up, Sicilians and Provencals on the one side, and on the other, English and the Knights of the two Orders. All stood, or sat on horseback in shining steel, guarding the way along which were carried the coffins. In memory, perhaps, of Louis's own words, "I, your leader, am going first," his remains headed the procession, closely followed by those of his young son; and behind

foremost was the King of France, while next to him came his sister, the Queen of Navarre. Edward went down to his litter, as it was brought on the beach, and offered him his arm as he feebly stepped forth to enter the boat. Philippe looked up to his tall cousin, and wrung his hands as he murmured, "Alas! what is to

ing his numerous orders for the embarkation of the troops on the morrow, on their return to Sicily. It was not till night-fall that Richard returned to his tent, where Jo

is time?" said the boy,

o should

ouble-ganger has b

dreamin

iry boats sailing on the sea? and a leaf eat up a fly here on this very tent pole? And did not the Fay Morgaine show

h of mine! Wher

d make it hold enough to build a castle of it, when the

I speak o

nd it said, 'Is this the tent of the young

for?" demanded Ri

rt!" replied John; "I know it

didst th

o Montforts here; for they were all di

mation that startled the boy. "Every one says so! M

said Richard, rec

d as King John had been ere the Charter," repeated John hotly, "and their father was as b

and controlling his own burning pain, glad that the darkness concea

really a stranger, and

pe it was, for Dame I

that thou wouldst n

could not s

nd's breast in an access of tenderness, such as pe

nea see him?"

e in soon after

n sooth, John; it imports me to know. What did this str

ort's tent was. So then I said, that if a Montfort dared to show his traitor's face in this camp, the Prince would hang him as high as Judas;

ard. "Methought tho

pity," faltered John, "and- and I'd have

ou rid? What

and deadly, and I crossed myself, and said the Blessed Name, and no doubt it writhed itself an

dst look

nd things from beneath-they do scare the very heart out of a man. And I lay, I don't know how, till Dame Idonea came in; and she s

y; "surely he was not in all points li

n bearded. And," with a sudden thought, "stand up, prithee, in the opening of the tent;" and then taking his post where he had been sitting at the time of the apparition, "He was not so tal

age," said Richard lightly. "But how did Leonillo comport himself? He brooks

must have run after him; for it was so long ere he came back to me, that I had feared greatly he

old Montfort characteristics must be strong in himself. He would not, however, avow his belief to John of Dunster. Secrecy on his own birth had been enjoined on him by his uncle the King; and disobedience to the old man's most trifling commands was always sharply resented by the Prince; nor was the boy's view of the House of Montfort very favourable to such a declaration. Richard really loved the brave little fellow, and trusted that some day when the discovery mus

his visit to his uncle's death-chamber-he might sometimes unbend; and momentary flashes from the glow of his warm deep heart went further in securing the love and devotion of those around him, than would the daily affability of a lower nature; but in ordinary life, towards all concerned with him except his nearest relations, he was a strict, cold, grave disciplinarian, ever just, though on the side of severity, and stern towards the slightest neglect or breach of observance, nor did he make any exception in favour

se and constraint would be over-he should, too, be in communication with his mother and sister. He was strongly inclined to cast in his lot with them, and end this life of secrecy, and distrust from all around him save one, and his loyal love ill requited even by that one. It grieved him

in landed at Trapani, the western angle of Sicily. The French had sailed first, but were not in harbour when the English came in; and the Sicilians, who had brought up the rear, arrived the next day, but still there was no tidings of the French. Towards the evening, however, the royal vessel bearing Phili

en inland, and Richard was again disappointed of the hope of seeing or hearing of his brothers; for the Prince still forbade all intercourse

astle of Trapani to hold council on their future proc

Montfort. A lively-looking Neapolitan lad was the attendant of King Charles; and in spite of all the perils of attempting conversation while thus waiting, Richard had-while the princes were greeting one another, and taking their seats-ventured the question, whether any of the sons of the English Earl of Leicester were in the Sicilian

have asked where Guy now was, and how far off was the Maremma; but the conference between the

ic gravity of Edward, whose noble head towered above the other two as if he were their natural judge. Charles was, in fact, trying to persuade the others to sail with him for Greece, an

ed. Charles might be then seen trying a little hypocrisy; and telling Philippe that his saintly father would only have wished to speed him on

ions to Edward-striving to convince him in the first place of the sanctity of a war against Greek heretics, and when Edward proved past being persuaded that arms meant for the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre ought not to be employed against Christians who reverenced it, he tried to demonstrate the uselessness of hoping to conquer the Holy Land, even by such a Crusade as had been at first planned,

hment in the midst of his disgust with the selfish uncle and sluggish cousin. That look, that half smile, made the youth's heart bound once more. Y

ed forth pledges of fidelity. But in ten minutes he was

feet, and looked up into his face with eyes of deep wistful meaning, seemed to him to have any feeling for him; and Leonillo became the recipient of many an outpouring of something be

Christmas at the court at Syracuse or Naples, in hopes, perhaps, of persuading him to the Greek expedition; but Edward was far too much displeased with the Angevin to accept his hospitality; recollecting, perhaps, that such a sojourn had been little beneficial to his great- uncle Coeur de Lion's army. He decided upon staying

hers entirely passing away. He did, indeed, venture on one day saying to the

be nearer the mark!"

ost is in winter quarters, I would venture on

grave displeasure; "loyalty and honour with me, or lawles

in that if he went now to seek out Guy, he should never be allowed to return to the crusading army. But that vow once fulfilled, proud Edward should see, that not merely sufferance but friendliness was needed to bind the son of his father's sister to his service. The brother at Bednall Green was right, this bondage was worse than beggary. Nor, under the influence of these feelings, had Richard's service the alacrity and affection for which it had once been remarka

ir Reginald Ferrers. Richard at once recognized him, when he came to present himself to the Prince, and was very desirous of learning whether he knew aught of that other brother, so mysteriously hidden in obscurit

sked Richard. "How fares i

g is the very best that could have befallen him-to hear him speak. He is the very sunshine of the Spital,

ng indifference; "said he aught of the

whole nights with him; and though he be better now, and as much in his senses as e'er he will be, such another access is like to make an end of him. Now, Father Robert saith that you, Sir Page, know w

repeated Richar

d, methinks some of the princes will be like to return, for the old King of the Romans is f

t?" said Richard; "mine is scar

that such things are not wont to be found in a crusader's budget. Moreover, if ink be wanting, he bade me tell you that the

g of the fishermen's boats, and to share little John of Dunster's unfailing marvel, that the Med

, lying at the bottom of a boat. The fisherman intended it for his own dinner, when all his choicer fish should have gone to supply the Friday's meal of the English chivalry; and he was a good dea

he might, in remembrance of Father Adam de Marisco's writing lessons. He meditated what should be the language of his letter, which was not likely to be secure from the eyes of the

hree wide, he proceeded to indite, in upright cramped lette

AND KNIGH

would entreat you of your goodness to place her in some nunnery, but without making known her name and quality until my return; so Heaven bring me home safe. But an if I should be slain in this Eastern land, then were it most for the little one's good to present her to the gracious lady Princess, by whom she would be most lovingly and naturally cared f

OF LEI

cilia, on the octave of the Epiphany, in the year of grace

st a chest in the tent. When at length he raised his head, he encountered a face full of the most utter amazement. Little John of Dunster had come

hink I am framing

lieving his distended mout

t I see the chaplain t

ldf

was a babe! Writing! Why

wilt, I will help thee to write a letter to send thy greetings home to Dunster. Thy

John. "And none of them could read it either! I'll never wr

aps that Richard would sully hi

r Raynald Ferrers, who was going shortly to be commandery of his Order at Castel San Giovanni, when

e state of his father's health; but Richard dreaded betraying his brother's secret too much to venture on confiding the missive to any of this party-none of whom w