on the following day arthur saw richard in the midst of his brilliant and warlike retinue. the duchess sat at the table next to the king, with arthur by her side. famous men, knights, statesmen, and ecclesiastics had seats below the duke, who was quite elated because his rank placed him next the king. their greetings reminded him that he must prove himself worthy of them by his own merit and heroic deeds, and a new world was revealed to him as he listened to the words of these men of wide experience, though he but half understood them. many a one noticed the enthusiasm of the boy, and his high-bred mien, and was charmed by him. when king richard raised his glass to drink the health of his sister-in-law, the duchess constance, the guests joyously responded, and added, “long live duke arthur of brittany!”
62
greatly excited, arthur rose to thank them, and, turning to richard, exclaimed, “i will prove myself, my royal uncle, worthy of the honor paid me by these brave men.”
his admirers gathered about him enthusiastically, spoke of his great and brilliant future, and praised him as a true scion of the plantagenets.
“did you hear, alan?” he said to his devoted friend, when at last they were alone in their room; “i am destined to achieve fame and greatness. i shall no longer be content to lead a quiet, unknown life.”
all who came to know the prince held him in the highest esteem, and were surprised that so noble a youth had developed in comparative obscurity. many thought that king richard might be childless, and that he was going to a distant war which would be full of danger. in that case the next heir to the english throne was arthur.
63
hardly a word passed about constance’s affairs and h?el’s solicitude. richard referred her to king philip as soon as he should arrive; and when constance, greatly embarrassed, asked, “are you angry because we accepted his protection in a time of need?” richard replied, “i do not blame you; you had to have him for a friend, for england left you in the lurch. my mother—” here the king broke off abruptly, and then closed by saying, “i think everything will be arranged by philip. arthur, of course, will keep geoffrey’s possessions, not only because of respect for the dead, but also for our love of his son.”
after a week, which to arthur passed like a pleasant hour, king philip arrived in rouen. his principal counsellors and several high ecclesiastics were in his retinue, but not so many soldiers as in that of richard.
arthur was present at the first meeting of the two sovereigns, and philip’s searching glance discovered him even before richard introduced them. at the words, “my cousin and ward,” philip stooped and kissed his forehead. when arthur, greatly moved by his cordiality of manner, greeted him as the protector of his childhood, philip’s serious face was illuminated with a gracious smile, revealing the favorable impression the duke had made upon him. he had always sought the control of the duke of brittany to hold england in check, but now he so unexpectedly found arthur such an engaging personality that he determined not to lose sight of him. he called upon constance and renewed his assurances of friendship. when she expressed some anxiety lest, in the absence of the two kings, she might be troubled by eleanor, who was to remain in england as regent, philip invited her to go to his court. “you and your son,” he said, “shall be under my feudal protection; and should you have any fear for your personal safety, you can be sure of an honorable reception in paris.”
64
constance expressed her thanks in richard’s presence, hoping he would make a still closer claim to arthur; but the crusade monopolized all his thoughts. he had already recognized brittany as the hereditary fief which would belong to arthur when he came of age, and with this assurance constance had to be content.
the departure of king richard well-nigh broke arthur’s heart, and richard embraced him with deep emotion. philip admonished them again to go to paris whenever it seemed best.
“that will yet happen,” said h?el to alan on their way back. “philip well knows that fate will force arthur into his arms. had richard thought more of the future, we should not have been going home thus.”
