"Andre Norton - Huon of the Horn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

the knights were much pleased, saying privately
to one another:

"Were our Lord King here these lords of Bor-
deaux could show him no better greeting than
they have given to us."

When they had refreshed themselves from their
journey and could want no comfort, then did Huon
ask of them their business and why Charlemagne
had so sent them to Bordeaux. And the eldest
made reply for them all:

"It is the will of our lord and dread master, King
Charlemagne of France, that the sons of Duke
Sevin come unto him and join his court that they
may be made known unto their brother peers and
confirmed in their lands as is the law."

The Duchess Aclis hastened to make answer,
saying:

"If our Lord King hath now any fault to find
with my dear sons because they have not sought
his court before, let the full weight of his just an-
ger fall upon me. When my gracious lord. Duke
Sevin, departed from me into the realm beyond
our stars, he left me desolate and fearful, with but
infants to comfort me. In their childish faces I saw
ever my lord and I could not bear that they should
go out of my keeping, even for the space of an
hour. But now that they are men grownтАФthough
still of tender yearsтАФI can no longer rule their


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lives by a woman's jealous fears. Let them but
wait until after the Easter season so that once
more we may celebrate together the Rising of Our
Lord Jesu, and I shall surrender them to the King
so that they may become his men in all things,
even as was their noble father."

17

Huon arose then, his comely face shining with