He was lying on five lances tied together, which ten warriors sustained by five other lances passed across beneath.  A shield and some cloaks supported the head of Arnold, while a company of soldiers followed and guarded their chief.

Gottfried embraced his son, and blessed the name of the Lord:  but after Erard had also manifested his tenderness, the strength of the chief did not allow him to speak any more; and it was in quiet and in silence that Arnold was borne into the house, then laid in a chamber adjoining that in which Theobald was.

The latter had fallen asleep, after Ethbert left him; and when he awoke, all was tranquil around him.  The warriors, after having taken some nourishment, had returned to their camp, and Arnold was sleeping beneath the eyes of his happy father, and of Erard, who repeated incessantly, in a low voice, “O, how good the Lord is!  He has preserved my father!”

“This is a singular house,” thought Theobald.  “What kindness, what benevolence, and, at the same time, what seriousness and solemnity, even down to this child!  How they speak of God, of Jesus, and of heaven!  But, am I mistaken?  No:  not one among them has named either the Holy Virgin or the saints!

“Can it be possible!” added he, after long reflection.  “Perhaps I am in the family of a Hussite, one of those Calixtans whom I abhor.  No, no!  They would hate me also—­for they know now who I am—­and perhaps I shall see no more of the love and interest they have shown me.

“But,” said he again, “there is something here that I cannot comprehend.  I must inquire and inform myself.”

Gottfried had returned.  His countenance was serene; and it was with affectionate cordiality that he inquired of the chevalier if he was refreshed by his sleep.

“I am as quiet as possible,” replied Theobald; “though this limb pains me some, and I am slightly feverish.  O, if I could only learn the welfare of my family!  What keen anxiety must torment my wife and my dear children!  For it will be published in the two camps that the Iron-Hearted has been killed!”

“Reassure yourself!” said Gottfried.  “I have attended to that.  I have caused the army to be informed that you are living and comfortable.  But they are ignorant of your retreat.  We shall also have, as soon as to-morrow, certain intelligence of your family.  Do not agitate yourself, therefore; but be patient, and await the Lord’s will—­for he alone reigneth.”

In fact, Gottfried, at the moment of the departure of the soldiers, had placed in the hands of their captain, a letter, to be read on the way, in which, under the seal of secrecy, he confided to him all that concerned Theobald, and charged him to send the intelligence to his family; but concealing the place where he was.  He also requested of the captain that a messenger might bring back some reply from the family, as soon as possible.

“Angel of goodness!” exclaimed Theobald, with profound emotion, which he was almost ashamed to display, “your love confounds me!  I have never seen such up to this day.  Whence do you derive it?  Who gives it to you all?—­for you all have the same love.”