“Not by that way, to-day, my Lord,” said Osmond, as Richard was about to enter the great hall. “It is crowded with the French who have been sleeping there all night; come to the postern.”
Osmond turned, as he spoke, along the passage, walking fast, and not sorry that Richard was lingering a little, as it was safer for him to be first. The postern was, as he expected, guarded by two tall steel-cased figures, who immediately held their lances across the door-way, saying, “None passes without warrant.”
“You will surely let us of the Castle attend to our daily business,” said Osmond. “You will hardly break your fast this morning if you stop all communication with the town.”
“You must bring warrant,” repeated one of the men-at-arms. Osmond was beginning to say that he was the son of the Seneschal of the Castle, when Richard came hastily up. “What? Do these men want to stop us?” he exclaimed in the imperious manner he had begun to take up since his accession. “Let us go on, sirs.”
The men-at-arms looked at each other, and guarded the door more closely. Osmond saw it was hopeless, and only wanted to draw his young charge back without being recognised, but Richard exclaimed loudly, “What means this?”
“The King has given orders that none should pass without warrant,” was Osmond’s answer. “We must wait.”
“I will pass!” said Richard, impatient at opposition, to which he was little accustomed. “What mean you, Osmond? This is my Castle, and no one has a right to stop me. Do you hear, grooms? let me go. I am the Duke!”
The sentinels bowed, but all they said was, “Our orders are express.”
“I tell you I am Duke of Normandy, and I will go where I please in my own city!” exclaimed Richard, passionately pressing against the crossed staves of the weapons, to force his way between them, but he was caught and held fast in the powerful gauntlet of one of the men-at-arms. “Let me go, villain!” cried he, struggling with all his might. “Osmond, Osmond, help!”
Even as he spoke Osmond had disengaged him from the grasp of the Frenchman, and putting his hand on his arm, said, “Nay, my Lord, it is not for you to strive with such as these.”