"That is also the age of my Rodolph," pursued the chevalier. "Alas! they will think me dead! Those villains! those cowards! Did they not see that I had no lance, and that my sword was broken?"
"Go, my child," said Gottfried. "Let the table and the books be prepared, I will soon come and pray to God with you. Call all the servants."
"Will you also pray for me?" asked the chevalier, "If you will, pray also for my dear Hildegarde and our five children. O, when shall my eyes see them again?"
"Is it long since you left them?" asked Gottfried.
"It is a week," replied the chevalier, with firmness. "I learned that the intrepid Arnold----"
"What Arnold?" asked Gottfried, with anxiety.
"Arnold the Lion, as he is called," said the warrior, "and one of the chiefs of these rebels." (Gottfried turned pale and raised his eyes to heaven.) "I learned that this audacious Arnold had joined his camp, and I felt that my duty called me immediately to the field. I therefore left my family and my house, and have shown the rebels that my arm and my heart are as strong as ever,"
"Have you encountered this Arnold?" asked Gottfried, hardly daring to ask this question.
"Have I encountered him!" cried the chevalier. "And who but myself could have----?"
"They are waiting for prayers," said Erard, opening the door. "Dear grandpapa, will you come?"