"What say you? So near to these ruins? my two brothers?"
"Yes, noble sir, your two illustrious brothers, and also your faithful friend, John of Renesse."
"O God! and I may not embrace them! Sir Diederik die Vos has doubtless told you upon what conditions I have obtained this temporary freedom; and I can not expose the lives of those to whom I owe it. Nevertheless, I must see my brothers; I will go with you, but with visor down. Should I judge it necessary to make myself known, I will give you a sign, and you shall then demand of all the knights present a solemn pledge of secrecy as to who I am. Till then I will abstain from uttering a word."
"Your will shall be executed, most noble sir," replied Deconinck; "be assured that you shall have reason to be satisfied with my discretion. But see, the Lady Matilda seems to sleep. May the rest benefit her!"
"She is not really asleep, poor child; she does but slumber heavily from exhaustion. But methinks I hear footsteps. Remember; my helmet once again upon my head, you know me no longer."
The next instant the physician entered, followed by Breydel. Offering a silent and respectful greeting to the knight, he at once proceeded to the patient's side. After a short examination of her state he declared that she must be bled; and this having been done, and the arm bound up, she seemed again to slumber.
**Sir," said the physician, addressing himself to the black knight, who had turned away his face during the operation; "I assure you that the young lady is in no danger; with a moderate period of rest and quiet her senses will return."
Comforted by this assurance, the Count made a sign to the two Deans, who thereupon followed him out of the chamber.
"Master Breydel," he said, "to your care I commit my child; watch over the daughter of your Count until I return. And now, Master Peter, let us make haste to the White Thicket."
They quickly reached the appointed place, and here falling in with some dozen knights, who were already anxiously awaiting Deconinck's arrival, the whole party entered the wood together. In this secluded spot were assembled the chief men of the Flemish name and nation; among then John Count of Namur and the younger Guy, two brothers of Count Robert, William of Juliers, their cousin, a priest, and the provost of Aix-laChapelle; John of Renesse, the brave Zeelander; John Borluut, the hero of Woeringen; Arnold of Oudenarde, and Baldwin of Paperode. These, and others of scarcely less note and consequence, were here met together in their country's cause. The presence, however, of a stranger (for such the black knight appeared to be) occasioned them considerable uneasiness, and the looks which they directed toward Deconinck evidently demanded an immediate explanation; this, therefore, he proceeded at once to give.
"Illustrious sirs," he said, "I bring you here one of the noblest knights which our country can boast; one of the greatest enemies the Frenchman has to dread. Certain weighty reasons—reasons upon which the life and death of one of our best friends depend—forbid him for the present from making himself known to you; take it not amiss, therefore, that for the present he keeps his visor down, and maintains a strict silence; for to many of you his voice is no less familiar than his countenance. My long-tried fidelity to our common cause will vouch to you sufficiently that I am bringing no false brother among you."
The knights wondered greatly at this strange declaration, and racked their memories for a name which might belong to the unknown knight; but no one thought of the captive Lion—for how was it possible he should be here? Nevertheless, Deconinck's assurance was sufficient for them; and having taken all due precautions against surprise, they proceeded without further delay to the business of their meeting, which was thus opened by the Dean of the Clothworkers, who addressed himself especially to the two princes:
"I must first tell you, noble sirs," said he, "how painfully the men of Bruges have been afflicted at the captivity of your noble father, our lawful Count.
"True it is that we have often heretofore risen up against him in defense of our rights and liberties, and doubtless some of you may have imagined that we should therefore take part with his enemies; but of this be well assured—never will a free and generous people endure a foreign master. This, indeed, we have clearly shown; for since King Philip's traitorous plot against our rightful lord, ofttimes have we imperiled life and goods, and made many a Frenchman die the death in penalty for his king's unprincely deed, while the streets of Bruges have streamed with Flemish blood. This being so, I have ventured, noble sirs, to kindle in your hearts the hopes that animate my own of a speedy and general deliverance; for I am convinced that the yoke is now so loosened on our necks, that with one vigorous effort we might cast it from us forever. A fortunate accident has served us in a remarkable manner; the Dean of the Butchers, with his fellows, has destroyed the Castle of Male, whereupon Messire de Mortenay has driven all the Clawards out of Bruges, and now there are about five thousand Guildsmen in arms at Damme. Among them are seven hundred Butchers, who have joined us
