Charlotte M Yonge

The Little Duke Charlotte M Yonge

On a bright autumn day, as long ago as the year 943, there was a great bustle in the Castleof Bayeux in Normandy. The hall was large and low, the roof arched, and supported on thick short columns, almostlike the crypt of a Cathedral; the walls were thick, and the windows, which had no glass, were very small, set in such a depth of wall that there was a wide deep window seat, uponwhich the rain might beat, without reaching the interior of the room. And even if it hadcome in, there was nothing for it to hurt, for the walls were of rough stone, and the floor oftiles. There was a fire at each end of this great dark apartment, but there were no chimneysover the ample hearths, and the smoke curled about in thick white folds in the vaulted roof, adding to the wreaths of soot, which made the hall look still darker. The fire at the lower end was by far the largest and hottest. Great black cauldrons hungover it, and servants, both men and women, with red faces, bare and grimed arms, and longiron hooks, or pots and pans, were busied around it. At the other end, which was raisedabout three steps above the floor of the hall, other servants were engaged. Two youngmaidens were strewing fresh rushes on the floor; some men were setting up a long table ofrough boards, supported on trestles, and then ranging upon it silver cups, drinking horns, and wooden trenche