as the duchess was obliged to devote the most of her time to affairs of state, the child was tenderly cared for by bertha. the quiet of the little court was broken by the festivities attending the approaching christening of the duke. tournaments and sports were arranged, and the friends and adherents of the duchess were summoned to rennes. she had received no tidings from the relatives of her husband, whereas king philip augustus of france had promised to be represented by one of his knights, whose arrival was eagerly awaited.
at last the french gentlemen appeared at the gate of the castle in imposing array—knights in glistening armor, squires and servants also armed. count von gragny, a famous soldier and well-known to h?el on many a battle-field, came as the king’s representative. the strangers were escorted to their quarters, and after a short rest count gragny exchanged his armor for court dress to wait upon the duchess. with his little retinue he rode through the narrow streets of the city to the castle, where the chamberlain conducted him to her presence.
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constance received upon a dais in the centre of the room, surrounded by her ladies, and bowed a gracious welcome to the count, who knelt and delivered the greeting of his king.
“i am delighted, noble count,” constance began, “that the king has granted my wish and is willing to be the godfather of the duke.”
“the king has shown you further favor, lady duchess, and has intrusted me with a message which is for your private ear,” replied the count.
the duchess, surprised, motioned her ladies to withdraw. “speak,” she eagerly exclaimed, when they were alone.
“the king of france, in consideration of your unprotected situation and the dangers which threaten the heir of duke geoffrey—”
“pardon me,” interrupted constance, “we do not feel that we are unprotected. our vassals are faithful, and the people are loyal.”
“yet as dangers may easily arise, noble lady, when you least expect them, king philip offers to undertake the guardianship of your son.”
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constance was alarmed, but retained her composure, and asked: “would not this provoke danger? it is the duty of the nearest paternal relatives, the king of england and his princes, to take the place of father to my son, and they may not yield that right.”
“are you sure they are willing to exercise it, lady duchess? and have you sufficient confidence in them to intrust your child to their care? will they unqualifiedly recognize him as the duke? king henry is far over the frontiers of scotland and his sons are not on the best of terms with you.”
“richard is noble and just. he is the eldest, and is under obligation to his dead brother, geoffrey,” replied constance.
“do not depend upon him. he is never in one place long enough to become attached to any one. i advise you to accept the king’s offer.”
“i will consider it, count,” replied the duchess, rising. “for the next few days, meanwhile, you are my guest. we will let business rest during the festivities, but will confer with you again on this matter before you return to paris.”
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the count bowed and left the duchess, who remained for some time absorbed in thought. at last she called bertha, who was accustomed to bring the prince to his mother about that hour, and she at once entered, carrying the child in her arms. the duchess rushed up to her, took the child, and tenderly kissed him. “i may enjoy my sweet one only a moment to-day, bertha,” she exclaimed. “is it not glorious that god has given me such a charming gift of love? surely fate should be kind to him, but, alas, clouds are gathering on the horizon of his life, and i am left alone to protect him. now, bertha, take my darling away, for knight h?el comes to speak with me.”
h?el was very anxious, for he feared, after the long interview with the count, that difficulties had arisen. constance began at once communicating to him what had been proposed, “can you divine what king philip augustus has requested of me?”
“requested, or demanded?” asked h?el.
“both, only the demand was concealed. he wishes to take the guardianship of the duke of brittany.”
“ha! crafty as ever! were his proposal disinterested, it would be well. still, philip has the power to protect you.”
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“but against whom? we are living in peace, and i must first know what to expect from england.”
“may i know what reply you made to the count?”
“none, as yet. i asked time for consideration. see to it, therefore, that the french gentlemen have a cordial reception, and at the christening to-morrow the representative of the king shall be honored as far as is in our power.”
with this the duchess closed the interview, and h?el repaired to his guests to ascertain their wishes and make their visit as pleasant as possible.
