"You, noble sons of Flanders, have this day won a victory, the memory whereof shall live among your children's children as a record of your lofty prowess; you have shown the whole world how dearly the alien has expiated his temerity in setting his foot on the soil of the Lion. The love of your fatherland has exalted you into heroes; and your arms, nerved by a most righteous vengeance, have laid the tyrant low. Freedom is a precious thing in the esteem of those who have sealed it with their heart's blood. Henceforth no prince of the South shall enslave us more; you would all rather die a thousand deaths than allow the alien to sing over you a song of triumph. Now this fear exists no longer. Flanders is this day exalted high above all other lands; and this glory she owes to you, most noble knights! And now our will is, that rest and peace should recompense the loyalty of our subjects; our highest joy will be that all should greet us by the name of father, so far as our loving care and unsleeping vigilance can render us worthy of this title. Nevertheless, should the French dare to return, again would we be the Lion of Flanders, and again should our battle-ax lead you on to the conflict. And now let our victory be unstained by further violence; above all, pursue not the Lilyards; it behooveth us to protect even their rights. For the present I must leave you; until my return, I pray you obey my brother Guy as your liege lord and count."
"What! speak you of leaving?" cried the skeptical John Borluut; "you are surely not going back to France! They will avenge their defeat on you, noble count."
"Messires," said Robert, "let me ask you, who is there among you who would, from fear of death, break his word of honor and stain his knighthood's loyalty?"
All at once hung their heads, and uttered not a word. They saw with sorrow that they dared not oppose their count's return. He continued:
"Messire Deconinck, your lofty wisdom has been of essential service to us, and we hope to task it still further; you are now a member of our council, and I require you to live with us in our castle. Messire Breydel, your valor and fidelity merit a great reward; I appoint you commander-in-chief of all your fellow-citizens who may be able to assist us in time of war; I know how well this office beseems you. Moreover, you henceforth belong to our court, and will dwell there whenever it pleases you. And you, Adolf—you, my friend, deserve a yet richer recompense. We have all been witnesses of your prowess; you have approved yourself worthy of the noble name of your forefathers. I have not forgotten your self-devotion; I know with what care, with what love, you have protected and consoled my unhappy child; I know the pure, the profound feeling that has taken root and sprung up, unconsciously to yourselves, in the hearts of you both; and shall I allow you to outstrip me in noble generosity? Let the illustrious blood of the Counts of Flanders mingle its stream with that of the noble lords of Nieuwland, and let the Black Lion add its glories to your shield. I give you my beloved child, my Matilda, to wife."
From Matilda's heart burst one only word—the name of Adolf. Trembling violently, she seized his hand, and looked steadfastly in his eyes; then she wept precious tears, tears of joy, joy impetuous and overwhelming. The youthful knight uttered not a word; his bliss was too great, too profound, too sacred to be expressed in words. He raised his eyes, beaming with love, on Matilda; then turned them, full of gratitude, to Robert; and then upward in adoration to God.
For some little time a noise had been heard in the courtyard of the monastery; and it seemed as though a large crowd of people were gathered there. The tumult waxed greater and greater, and at intervals was heard a mighty shout of joy. A nun brought the tidings that a great multitude stood at the abbey gate, and demanded, with repeated cries, to see the golden knight. As the door of the hall was opened, Robert caught distinctly the cry:
"Flanders! the Lion! hail to our deliverer! hail! hail!"
Robert turned to the nun, and said:
"Tell them that the golden knight, whom they demand to see, will appear among them in a few moments."
Then he approached the sick knight, seized his yet feeble hand, and said:
"Adolf van Nieuwland, my beloved Matilda will be your wife. May the blessing of the Almighty rest upon your heads, and give to your children the valor of their father and the virtues of their mother! You have merited yet more than this; but I have no more precious gift to bestow on you than the child who might have been the solace and the stay of my declining age."
While words of heartfelt gratitude flowed from Adolf's lips, Robert hastily approached Guy, and said:
"My dear brother, it is my wish that the marriage should take place as soon as possible, with all fitting magnificence, and with the customary religious ceremonies. Messires, I am about to leave you, with a hope that I shall soon return to you, free and unshackled, to labor for the happiness of my faithful subjects."
After these words, he again drew near to Adolf, and kissed him on the cheek:
''Farewxll, my son," he said.
And pressing Matilda to his heart:
"Farewell, my darling Matilda. Weep no more for me; I am happy now that our fatherland is avenged; and I shall soon return again."
He then embraced his brother Guy, William van Gulick, and some other knights, his especial friends. He pressed with deep
