'
However, I will say for His Majesty that it was the Duke of Anjou who
told the Queen that the little Nidemerle had been disrespectful, and
thus caused the poor child to be sent home, severely beaten, and with
a reprimand to me for not bringing him up better.
I leave you to guess how furious I was, and how I raged about the
house till I frightened my mother, Annora backing me up with all her
might. We were almost ready to take Gaspard in our hands and escape
at once to England. Even in its present sad state I should at least
be able to bring up my boy without having him punished for honourable
sentiments and brave speeches. Of course it was the Abbe on the one
hand, and Eustace on the other, who moderated me, and tried to show
me, as well as my son, that though the little Louis might be a
naughty boy, the kingly dignity was to be respected in him.
'Thou wouldst not blame thy mother even if she were in fault,' argued
Eustace.
'But my mother never is in fault,' said Gaspard, throwing himself
into my arms.
'Ah, there spoke thy loyal heart, and a Frenchman should have the
same spirit towards his King.'
'Yes,' broke out Annora; 'that is what you are all trying to force on
your children, setting up an idol to fall down and crush yourselves!
For shame, Walwyn, that you, an Englishman, should preach such a
doctrine to the poor child!'
'Nay, you little Frondeuse, there is right and safety in making a
child's tongue pay respect to dignities.
Pages:
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169