For a moment Adolf hesitated; the words would not pass his lips. At last, bending one knee to the ground, with a hasty effort he exclaimed:
"Who else, lady, could it be than your servant Adolf?"
Her eyes were now fastened upon him with an expression of deep emotion; then, raising him from the ground, she said:
"Adolf, my good brother, how shall we be ever able to repay your self-devotion? Well do I know all that you have done to soften my hard lot. Have I not seen that my well-being has been the one constant subject of your thoughts? And now you are about to take my father's place within his dungeon-walls—to risk your very life for him and me! Ungracious that I have been—thankless as I must have seemed—how have I deserved so much?"
An unusual fire sparkled in the eyes of the young knight, and communicated itself to his speech. In the exultation of his feelings he exclaimed:
"Does not the ancient blood of the Counts of Flanders flow within your veins? Are you not the beloved daughter of the Lion—of him who is the glory of our common country, the benefactor to whom I can never sufficiently express my gratitude? My blood, my life, are devoted to your illustrious house; and all that the Lion of Flanders loves is sacred to me."
While Matilda was still regarding him with astonishment, a servant came to announce the arrival of the stranger priest. Immediately after, the father himself entered the apartment
"Hail to thee, illustrious daughter of the Lion our lord!" he began, making a lowly reverence, and at the same time throwing back his cowl.
The sound of his voice instantly attracted Matilda's attention. She eyed him with a close scrutiny, and anxiously taxed her memory to recall the name of one whose accents sounded so familiar to her ear. Suddenly she seized him by the hand, and with eyes flashing with delight passionately exclaimed:
"Heavens! I see before me my father's bosom friend! I thought that all besides Sir Adolf here had deserted us; but now, thanks be to God, He has sent me a second protector!"
Diederik die Vos stood aghast; his art had failed before a woman's eye. With an air of something like chagrin, he threw off his beard, and now stood in his own character before his youthful friends; then turning to Matilda:
"In truth, lady," he exclaimed, "I must allow that your sight is sharp and piercing; I may now as well resume my natural voice. I had rather, indeed, have remained unrecognized; for the disguise which you have penetrated is of the last necessity for my noble master's weal. I pray you, therefore, be careful how you breathe a hint of who I really am; it might cost me my life, and what is of greater moment, defeat the mission I have in hand. Your countenance, lady, witnesses to the sufferings of your heart; but if our hopes do not deceive us, your sorrow will soon be over. Nevertheless, should your father's captivity be even yet prolonged, we must not cease to put our trust in the justice of Heaven. Meanwhile, I have seen the Lord Robert, and conversed with him. His lot is much alleviated by the courtesy of the castellan in whose charge he is; for the present, therefore, your heart may be at ease regarding him."
"But tell me all he said, Sir Diederik; describe his prison to me, and how he occupies his time; that I may have the pleasure of picturing it all to myself, since as yet I can not see him."
Thereupon Diederik began a minute description of the castle of Bourges; and related circumstantially to the lady all that he thought could interest her; answering with ready sympathy her most trivial questions, and comforting her with the hope of a happier future. Adolf meanwhile had left the room, to inform his sister of the journey he was about to undertake, and to give directions for horse and armor to be in readiness. He had also charged a confidential servant to inform Deconinck and Breydel of his absence, that they might keep closer watch over their young princess; a precaution, however, which was not, in fact, necessary; since Diederik die Vos had already concerted measures with them to that end.
As soon as the young knight returned, Diederik rose from his seat; "Now, Sir Adolf," said he, "we have not much time to spare; allow me, therefore, before we set out, to throw a little more age into your countenance. Sit down, and let me have my own way, and fear not; I shall do nothing that will harm you."
Adolf accordingly took a seat in front of Diederik, and leaned his head backward. Matilda, quite at a loss to understand the scene before her, looked on in astonishment; with curious eye she followed Diederik's fingers, as he traced many a deep line on Adolf's youthful visage, and darkened its complexion. Her astonishment increased, as at every stroke of the pencil Adolf's countenance gradually changed its expression, and assumed something that reminded her of her father's features. At last the work was completed, and Diederik desired his patient to stand up and show himself.
"There, it is done," said he; "you are as like the Lord Robert now as if the same mother had borne you; and if I did not know the work of my own hands, I should make my obeisance to you as to the noble Lion in person."
As for Matilda, she
