Papa in vain begged they would not be so unjust; the proposal was thought so excellent, that directly Alfred would leave off clapping his hands, he good-naturedly acquiesced:—
"A field of battle presents all the usual horrors, but in one respect has a particular that I do not think is paralleled. An aged king is to be seen in all the perils of the day; he is well mounted, and a knight rides on each side of him, leading his horse; if you examine him, you will find that he is blind, and has braved danger to assist the French. The motto on his shield was 'Ich dien,' which means, 'I serve.'"
"I am sure," said Alfred, "he was very foolish to go to battle. He could not see who would attack him, and he prevented the two knights from fighting. I do not know anything about such a silly old man."
"I am not sure when I told the story that I expected you to give me the answer, Alfred."
"Did he lose his life?" inquired Edward.
"Yes, I am sure he did," interrupted Emily; "the scene was in France, and the chief leader of the English party was a youthful prince, famed for his courage and amiable character."
"My next picture," resumed Mr. Macdonald, "shall be a crowded street, with banners flying from every window; arches of boughs and flowers, with many other signs of joy and exultation. A procession passes amidst deafening applause; the principal figures are a king, dressed in his royal robes, and mounted on a beautiful steed; the other, much younger, with an attractive expression of countenance, rides at his side on a small palfrey. The people bestow their chief attention and admiration on the latter."
"Did he not," asked the children, "once wait on this same king at his supper?"
"Yes; I see your favourite is again revealed. This was a reign full of glorious acts, but peaceful improvements were not forgotten. Windsor Castle was rebuilt and enlarged; many other restorations were executed, and much attention was paid to the laws. Ever since William the Conqueror's reign they had been in Norman-French; they were now written in English. I think I have now done my part towards this evening's amusement."
"One more story, please, dear papa."