Otho the Archer by Alexandre Dumas (Illustrated) by Alexandre Dumas

Author:Alexandre Dumas [DUMAS, ALEXANDRE]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Parts Edition 4 of 43 by Delphi Classics
Publisher: Delphi Classics (Parts Edition)
Published: 2017-06-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER VII.

A WEEK after the events we related in our last chapter, and just as Adolf of Cleves was about to rise from table, it was announced that a herald from the Count of Ravenstein had entered the court-yard of the Castle, bringing his master’s challenge. The Prince turned towards his daughter with a look of mingled tenderness and reproach. Helena coloured and lowered her eyes; then after a moment’s silence, the Prince gave orders for the messenger to be brought in.

The herald entered; he was a fine young man dressed in the Count’s colours, and wearing his coat of arms on his breast. He bowed low to the Prince, and with a voice in which firmness and courtesy were united gave the challenge.

The Count of Ravenstein, without referring to the motives of his declaration, defied Prince Adolf wherever he might meet him, either man to man, or twenty against twenty, or army against army, by day or night, on mountain or plain.

The Prince, seated and covered, listened to the Count’s challenge. When it was concluded, he rose, took from a settle where he had thrown it his own velvet mantle lined with ermine, placed it on the herald’s shoulders, unfastened a gold chain from his neck and passed it over the messenger’s. Then he gave orders he should be hospitably entertained, that when he left the Castle he might say that in the house of Prince Adolf of Cleves a challenge was received as an invitation to a feast.

Two hours after and just when they were least expecting it, the Count of Ravenstein ordered his retinue to be ready next day to leave the Castle of Cleves.

The Prince under this assumed calmness concealed deep anxiety. He had reached the age when armour begins to weigh on a warrior’s shoulders. He had neither son nor nephew to whom he could confide the care of his quarrel; but only friends from whom, — in these troublous times when each had his own business to attend to, whether on his own account or for the Emperor, — he knew well that he should have difficulty in getting, not indeed sympathy, but effectual help. Still he sent letters in all directions, appealing to alliance and friendship. Then he set himself to repair his Castle, strengthening it in weak places, and bringing in all provisions possible.

The Count of Ravenstein had on his side made the most of the week’s start he had gained over his enemy. So a few days after the message had been received, and before the allies of the Prince of Cleves had time to come to his assistance, a voice was suddenly heard crying out: “To arms! to arms!”

It was the voice of Otho, who happened to be on guard upon the walls, and had seen on the horizon from the direction of Nimwegen a cloud of dust in the midst of which glittered weapons, like sparks in smoke.

The Prince without thinking the attack would come so quickly, still always held himself in readiness.

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