The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, February 17, 1905, Image 3
1 Under
s|ff By frede:
- Author o!
Copyright. 1906. by the 9
CHAPTER V.
aHROUGH the flowery path, no
narrow her gown brushed the
leave* on either aide, the
Princess Louise appeared,
walking slowly. Intently the jester
watched her drew near and ever nearer
, their common trystlng spot, her favorite
garden nook. A handsome bride,
forsooth, as Jacqueline had suggested.
DAH tn white was she now, a glittering
white, with silver adornment mvUii.
Ingiy hymeneal. A bride for a duke
or a king, more stately than the qneen,
handsomer than the favorite of favorites
who ruled the king and France.
"Jacqueline," she said, evincing neither
surprise nor any other emotion as
he approached, "go and fetch my fan.
1 believe 'tis in the king's antechamber."
"Madam carried no fan when"? began
the girl. 1
"Then 'tis somewhere else. Do not
bandy words, but find it."
Sinking on the beuch as the maid
walked quickly away, she remained 1
for some momenta In silent thought, a
-reverie the Jester forbore to disturb. 1
Against the clambering ivy which for 1
centuries had reveled In this chosen
spot lay her hand, a small ring of curl'
ous workmanship gleaming from her
finger. The ring caused the Jester to
r start, remembering he had last seen It (
d* worn by the king.
Idly the Princess Ixrolse plucked a '
leaf from the old. old vine, picked it '
opart and let the pieces float away, j
Aa they fluttered and fell at tbe Jester's
feet she regarded hi in, with
thoughtful blue eyes. j
nuw mr is u," sue asked, "to the
duke's principality?"
It he had doubted the maid's story
he wan now convinced. The ring and
her question confirmed Jacqueline's
narrative.
"About fifteen days' journey, princess,"
he replied.
"No farther?"
"Barring accidents, it may be made
In that time."
Rho did not notice how dull was his
tone, how he avoided her gaxe. Blind
to him, she turned the ring around and
-.. arfuqd on bSr - finger, as .{hough hsr
thoughts were concentrated'on It.
"Accidents," she repeated, her hand
now motionless. "Is the way perilous?"
"The country la most unsettled."
"What do you mean by unsettled!"
she coutiuued, bending forward with
fingers clasped over her knees.
"The country is infested with many
roving bands commanded by tbe so
calM independent barons who owe alIcriIai
oe to neither king nor emperor," I
he nnawered. "Their homes are perched,
like eagles' nests, upon some mountain
peak that commands tbe valleys
travelers must proceed through. i
fierce, untamed crew, bent on rapine j
uuu muruer;
"D1<1 you encounter any such?" gently
"Ofttlmes."
"And left unscathed?"
"Because I was a jester, madam;
some thing less than man; a lordllng's
*ia verl^omp*Vs plaything! Their senv
tluels shored with me their flasks; I
slept before their signal fires nnd even
supped in the heart of their stone fast*
nesses. Fools and monks are safe
among them, for the one amuses and
the other absolves their sins. Yet Is
there one free baron," he added reflectively,
"whom even I should have dons
well to avoid; he, the most feared, ths
most savage! Louis of Pfalt-Urfeld!"
"Have you ever met him?" asked the
, princess In a mechanical tone.
"No," with a short laugh. "A few of
his knaves I encountered, however, j
whose conduct shamed the courtesy of
" the other mountain rogues. I all bnt
fared HI indeed from them. To the
pleasantry of my greeting they replied
with true pilferer's humor; the free
- baron hod ordered every one searched.
Tuey would nave robbed and stripped
me, despite the color of my coat, only
fortunately Instead of a fool's staff I
Ohad a good blade of the duke's. For a
moment It was cut and thrust?not Jest
and gibe. The suddenness of the at0
tack surprised them, and before they
could digest the humor of It the fool
?|iad slipped away." j
"The duke would not be molested by
these outlaws?" she continued, pursuing
her line of questioning.
"The duke has a strong arm," he answered
cautiously. "They may be well
content to permit him to come and go
as be sees fit"
"Well, well," she said perversely, "I
was only curious about the distance
and the country."
"For leagues the land Is wild, bleak.
Inhospitable, and then 'tis level, mo
notonous, deserted, so lonely the song
dies on the wandering minstrel's lips.
But the duke rides fsafcwlth bis troop
and soon would coref the mountain
K paths and dreary wastes."
"Kay." she Interrupted Impatiently, '
*1 aaked not bow the duke would ride."
"1 thought you wished to know,
princess," he replied humbly. , ~|
"You thought," she began angrily,
sitting erect
"I know, princess, a fool should but
|eat not think."
"Why do yon crow as today V she
demanded petulantly, "Can you not
*HCr* . - |
. Lmm
the Rose
RIC S. ISHAM,
l "The Strollers'*
OWEN-MERRILL COMPANY
Abruptly she rose, Impatiently moved
away, but few steps, however, wlien
she turned, her face suddenly free
from annoyance. In her eyes a soft decision.
"There!" she exclaimed, with a smile
half arch, half repentant. "How can
any one be angry on such a day?all
sunshine, butterflies and flowers?"
lie did uot reply, and, mistress once
more of herself, she drew near.
"What a contrast to the stuffy palace,
with nil the courtiers, ministers
and lap dogs!" slie went on. "Hero one
cau breathe. But how shall we make
the most of stich a day. Stroll Into the
forest; sit by the fountain; rim over
the grass?"
Her voice was softer than It had
been; her words fraught with suggestions
of exhilarating companionship.
Dkl she note their effect? At any rate
he lauched liarhtlv.
"But how," she resumed, surveying
her great infolding skirt, "could one
trip the sward with this monstrous
gown, weighted with wreaths of silver?
Is It not but one of the many penalties
of high birth? Oh, for the short
skirts of the lowly! What comfort to
he arrayed like Jacqueline!"
"And she, princess, doubtless thinks
likewise of more gorgeous apparel."
Ells heart bent fnster as he strove to
Answer her iu kind. j
"A waste of cloth In vanity, ns snitb
Master Calvin!" she replied, lifting her
urma that.shone with creamy softness
from the dangling folds of heavy silk.
"Were It not for this courtly Incumbrance
I should propose going into the i
Behls with the haymakers. You may
ice them now ?look?through the opening
lu the foliage."
With an expression part resignation,
[>art regret, she leaned against tho
wind worn gritiln which formed the
irm of the bench. Fainter sounded
:he warning of the jestress In the cars
>f the duke's fool?so faint it became
>ut a weak admonition. More nud
nore he abandoned himself to the
>le*sure of the moment.
"To make the most of the day," the
winces;) had said.
How? Dy denying himself the sight
o yield,to the charm of her
Attd soiiet* tuood swayed hisr hu iuirot
his resolution, his pride, and yield*1
to the Infatuation of the moment.
3ut when he endeavored to call the
ivcapons of bis office to his aid, lier
glance and the shadow of that smile
eft hiin witless. Jest fancy and whim
ind taken flight.
"Well?" she said. "Well, Sir Fool?"
His coloi shifted; withal his half
smbarrassment there was something
jraeeful and noble In his bearing.
"Madam"? he begun and stopped for
tvant of matter to put Into words.
Hot If the princess was mnoved at
Lhe new found dullness of her plnlsant,
t;or manner did not show It.
"What." she said gently. "No news
iom the court; 110 word of intrigue;
10 story of the king? I should seek
.1 courier for my companion, not a jests'.
Hut there! What book have you
,/ought?". Indicating the volume tlmt
ay upon the bench.
"Uulllaume de I/orris* 'Romance of
1 he Rose,' " he answered more freely.
"Where did we leave off?"
"Where the hero, arriving a? a fountain,
beheld a beautiful rose tree,"
said the fool In a low tone. "Desiring
the rose, he reached to gather it"?
"Yes, I remember. And then Reason
and Danger did battle with Love."
"la It your wish we continue?" he
asked, taking the book in his hand.
"1 would fain learn If he gathers bis
rose. Nay, alt here on the bench and
I"?brightly?"may look over your
shoulder ever und anon to ateal a
glimpse of the pretty pictures."
Unquesttonlngly he obeyed her, the
book, Illumined, gleaming In the sunshine;
the letters, red, gold, many
hued. dancing before them. Love In
crimson, the five silver shafts of Cupid,
the tower of jealousy, u frowalyg fortress;
the rose, incentive for endless
striving and endeavor?all floated by
on the creamy parchment leaves. Ho
Interested was she in these wondrous
pages, executed with such precision
and perfection, with marginal adornment
and many a graceful turn aud
fancy in Initial letter and tailpiece, she
seemed to him for the moment rather
some simple lowly maiden than a
proud princess of the realm.
"How much splendor the penman
has shown!" she murmured, her breath
on his cheek. "'Tls more beautiful
than the 'Life of St. Agnes.' Is not
that figure well done? A hard, austero
old roan; Reason, I believe, In monkish
attire."
"Reason or Duty ever partakes of tho
monastery," he retorted, with a short,
mirthless laugh.
"Dutv^bediencel" she broke in. "Do
I not'know them? riease turn tho
page.?
"Oh, princess," he said wildly, "I
know what the king hath told you!
Why you wear the monarch's ring!"
"The monarch's ring!" she repeated
as recalled suddenly from wandering
thought. "Why, how know you? Ah,
Jacqueline"?
"And a ring slgnlfleth consent. Tou
will fulfill the king's desire?"
"The king's desire?" she replied meekaDoaily.
"It it not the will otQodr
? , 11 Ml
"Then you wlir obey the king?" he
persisted dully..
"Why." she answered, smiling and
beiming nearer, 'w111 you spoil tho
day t"
"You would give yourself to n man
whether or not you loved him?"
! A frown gathered oa tho princess'
1 brow, but she stooped, herself picked,
up the book, lie had dropped, brushed
the earth from it and seated herself
upon the bench. Her manner was
quiet, resolute; her uetiou a rebuke to
the forward fool.
"Will you not rcud?" she said, with
an inscrutable look.
"True," he exclaimed, rising quickly,
"I was sent to amuse"? *
"And you have found me n too exacting
mistress?" she asked more gently,
checking the Implied reproach.
"Exacting!" ho repeated.
"What then?" she said half sadly.
"Nothing," he answered.
Hut In liis mind Jacqueline's scornful
words reiterated themselves. "Think
you tlie princess will wear tlie willow?"
Taking tiie book, he oppne.l It nt random.
mechanically sinking nt her feet.
The quest, the Idle quest! Was It but
nu awakening? So fnr lay the branch
above his reach! Ills voice rose anil
fell with the mystic rhythm of the mei
i
^ "Hoxo
much splendor the penman has
shown!"
ter. now dwelling on death nud danger,
the shortness of life, the sweetness of
passion, then telling the pleasures of
the dunce.
Lower fell the princess' hand until It
touched the reader's head; touched and
lingered. Before the fool's eyes the
letters of the book became blurred
and then faded away. Doubt, misgiving.
fear, vanished On the moment.
The flower she had given him seemed
IV MUl u v,. ..... ? ?
decreo of the king, her equivocation,
the unanswered question. Passionately
he thrust his band Into his doublet.
"The rose and love are one," he
cried. "The rose Is"?
"Pnrdon me, tundufu." said a voice,
and Jacqueline, clear eyed, cnlni. stood
before them. "The fan was not in the
Icing's bedchamber or 1 should have
been here sooner. I trust you have
uot been put out for want of It?"
"Not at all, Jacqueline." returned
her mistress, with a natural, tranquil
iuu\trim-in, aiiiiuu^ii ?suuq)iy? you
were gone longer than you should
have been!"
CHAPTER VI.
[AI Y IN anticipation of the arrival of
1^11J the duke and his suit, the
C||S| monarch had ordered a series
of festivities and entertainments
such as would gratify his desire
for pageantry and display and at tliu
same time do honor to a guest who
was to espouse one of France's fairest
wards.
Francis was unusually good humored
that day. Apprised by-a. herald that
the duke and his followers were neariug
the castle, he had scut the messenger
back announcing a trysting
place and now rode forth to meet blm
and escort him with honor to the
castle.
Right pleasantly, with quip and Jest
nnd many n smart sally, did the monarch
aud retinue draw near the meeting
spot, where, at a fork of the road,
beneuth the slmdc of overhanging
branches, were already assembled a
goodly group of soldiers. Beyond them,
at a respectful distance, stood many
beasts of burden, heavily luden, the
great packs promising stores of rare
and costly gifts. At the head of the
troopers was a thickset man. with
broad shoulders nnd brawny frame,
mounted on a powerful gray home.
This leader, whom the approaching
company surmised to be the duke, sat
motionless as n statue, gazing steadfastly
at the shinlnir armor and enl
lant figure of the king, who spurred to
him, a friendly greeting on his lips.
| Then, lightly springing to earth nud
throwing his bridle to one of his troop,
the foreign noble approached the royal
horseman on foot and, bending his
head, knelt before hlin, respectfully
kissing his hand.
) Grim, silent, with hardened faces.
I the duke's men regarded the scene,
I their dusty attire (albeit rich enough
beneath the marks of travel), sunburned
visages and stolid manner In
marked coutrast with the bearing and
aspect of the king's gay following. One
of tho alien troop pulled a red raustachlo
fiercely and eyed a blithe popinjay
of the court with quizzical superiority.
The others remained stock still,
but observant.
"1 see you are punctual and waiting,
noble sir," said the monarch gayly
when the initial formalities had been
complied with. "But that Is no more
than should be expected from?an Impatient
bridegroom." Then, gazing curiously,
yet with penetrating look, on
the features his gue^ jybo qow Ji?d
i i
arisen. "You appear slightly older tn
I expected from the letter of our dc
friend nud brother, the emperor."
Ami truly the duke's appearance w
thai of d uiau more. nearly Ave hi
thirty than tivc ?ud twenty. Ills fa
was brown from exposure and up<
bis brow the , scar of au old swo
wound, yet a fearless, dashing count
?nance, an eye that could kindle
headlong passion and a thickset ne<
and heavy Jaw that bespoke the fc
man who would battle to tlie la
breath.
"Older, sire?" he replied, with coi
posure. "That must needs be, sin
living iu the saddle ages a man."
"Truly," returned the monarch, i
stinelively laying bis hand upon h
sword. "The clash of arms, the thu
der of hoofs, the waving banners?y?
glory Is a seductive mistress who rol
us of our youtji. Have I not wooed h
and found?gray hairs? Who shall gl1
me back those days?"
"History, your majesty, shall gk
them to posterity," answered the duk
"Even those we lost to Charles
muttered the king, a shadow pussli
over his countenance.
"Glory, sire. Is a mistress somethm
fickle In her fuvors."
"And yet we live but for"? I!
broke off abruptly and with the eye <
a trained coufiunudcr surveyed tl
duke's men. "Daredevils, daredevi
nlll" be muttered.
"Rough looking fellows, sire," npol
gized the duke, "but tried and fait
ful soldiers.' Somewhat dusty ar
road worn." And his eyes turnt
meaningly to the king's suit?the flas
Ing girdles of silver, the shining hilt
the gorgeous cloaks and ovnn *1
adornment of ribbons.
"Nnj," said Francis meditative!;
"on n rough Journey I would fain ha\
these Are eaters nt my back. The
look as though they could cut an
hew."
"Moderately well, your majesty," ai
awered the duke, with modesty.
"Will you "mount, noble sir. and ri<]
with me? Yonder Is the castle, an
In the castle is a certain fair lad
whom you no doubt fain would see."
Long gazed the Duke df Frledwal
nt the distant veuerable pile of Btou<
the mnjeBtic turrets and towers softl
floating in a dreamy mist; the settin;
fresh, woody, green. Long he IooLc
at tills luvittng picture and the
breathed deeply.
"Ah, sire. I would the meeting wer
overl" he rctnnrkcd in a low ' ?lce.
"Why so, sir?" asked the king lu sui
prise. "Do.you fear you will not far
cy the lady 1"
"I fear she may not fancy me," n
torted the nobleman Boberly. "You
own remark, sire, that I appear olde
than you hid expected?" he continue
gravely, significantly.
"A recommendation lu your favor,
laughed tint monarch. "I ever prefc
sober maotiood to callow youth abor
the offiofevtr tvbu >h?nrray <il\ ._t r i r*
and tlinf or breaks when you press
t<)o hard.'t "I
should be " lacking in gratitud
were I ngt deeply'appreciative of yot
majesty's kindness." replied the duk
his fncc flushing fwltli pleasure, "Bt
your majesty knows womaukind"?
"Nay. I've studied them a little", bi
know them not," retorted Franc!
dryly.
"And It is flhlikely the lady may fln
me all her Imagination has depicted,
went on the nobleman, with palpnbl
embarrassment. "My noble maste
the emperor, hath?regarding me stl
as but a stripling from his own vai
tagc point of age and wisdom?repr*
sented me a young man In his pr
posals. v But, though I'm younger tbn
I look arid feel no older than 1 am, ho
young or how old shall. I seem to tt
princess?"
"Young enough to be her huslmu<
old enough for her to look up to," a
swcrcd the monarch reassuringly.
"Again," objected the duke, medit
lively regarding the castle, "she nu
be expecting a handsome, debona
bridegroom, and when she see.s me
ruefully surveying himself, "what w
she say?"
"What'will she say? 'Yes' at the t
tar. Is it not enough?" Leaning ba<
in his saddle, the king's face express*
the enjoyment he derived front tl
conversation with the backward at
too conscientious soldier. Here was
groont whose wedding promised t!
court nttlch amusement and satisfa
tion In those Jovial days of Jesting ai
merrymaking.
"Conte,'' resumed the king encoura
Ingly, "I'll warrant you more forwa
In battle."
"Battle!" said the duke. "That's a
other matter. To see your foeuiai
gleaming eyes?but hers? Should tb
express anger, disdain"?
"Let yours show but the great
wrath." advised the king complaisai
ly. "In love like cures like. I^et me
your physician. I'll warrant you'll 111
me proficient."
"I've heard your majesty hath prr
ttced deeply," returned the noble re.i
lly In spite of his perplexity.
"Deeply?" I'rnucis lifted his hro
"I am but a superficial student, mast
only of the rudiments, no graduate
the college of love. Moreover, I'
heard the letters vou exchanged wc
?nhem?well enough writ. You press
your suit warmly for one unlearned,
mere novice."
"Because I had seen her face, yo
majesty; had It ever before me In I
painted miniature. Any man," with
rough eloquence and fervor that 1
pressed the king with the depth of 1
passion, "could well worship at tl
fair shrine, but that she"?
"Forward, I beg yon." Interrupt
the king. "Womankind are but fr
flesh, sir; easily molded, easily w<
She in a woman, therefoM soft, yle
Ing, yours for the asking. You are ov
valorous at a distance, too timoro
near her. Approach her boldly, ai
though she were Diana's self. I'll i
tTvar for yotpr-victory, ?Rh. Trlboul
i
* ?*.. i- .
an nro otir Indies cold hearted, callous, in
nv different to merit?"
"Cold hearted?" ouswered the dwarf
u3 with a ludir runs expression of feigned
l;d rapture. "Were I to relate?but, no
cc my t>ngue la silent?discretion, youi
ou majesty will understand"?
rt* | "Well." said the duke, "with encoure"
: ngement from the best favored sebolui
in tl:e kingdom r.nd the?upliest, 1
should proceed with more conlldence."
"Pest favored?" smirked the little
1,1 monster. "Itenlly. you flutter me.". .,
I "A whimsical fellow, sire," vouchu
snfed the nobleman,
co ( "When lie Is not tiresome." answered
the monarch. "On, gentlemen!" And
u- the cavalcade swept down the road
lis toward the castle. Fur behind, with
n- crocking of whip, followed the mules
'a. and their drivers.
L>3
cr . CHAPTER VII.
k'? w ' N a spacious hall, begllt. benilr5[
a rored. assembled on the evenk
? At rSS ,nK of duke's arrival
e. Francis, his court and the
l" guest of the occasion. From wide
spreading chandeliers, with their pendent.
pear shaped crystals, a thousand
es candles throw a flood of light upon the
scene, as mid trumpet blast and softer
fe strains of harmony King Francis and
good Queen Eleanor led the way to
u? the royal table nnd thereat, shortly
's after, at n signal from the monarch,
the company seated themselves.
?~ At the head of the hoard was the
h" king; on his right, his lawful consort,
'd pale, composed, saintly; ou his left, tho
d Countess d'Etampes, rosy, animated,
free. Next to the fn?irite sat tho
a? "fairest among the learned and most
10 learned among the fair," Marguerite,
beloved sister of Francis, nnd lier secr.
ond husband, Henry d'Albret, king of
Navarre; opposite. Henry the dauphin
T nnd his spouse, Catharine do' Medici;
d not far removed, Diane do Poitiers,
whose dnrk eyes Henry ever openly
a- sought, while Catharine complacently
talked affairs of state with the chanle
eellor.
d In the midst of this illustrious comy
pnny, and further surrounded by a
plentiful sprinkling of ruddy cardinals,
d fat bishops, constables, governors, mnre.
shals nnd Indies, more or less disy
tinguished through birth or beauty.
nu* iiuko or i-riedwald and the Prind
cess Louise were a center of attraction
n for the wits whose somewhat free jests
the license of the times permitted. At
e the foot of the royal table places had
. been provided for Marot. Caillette, Trlhoulet,
Jacqueline and the duke's fool.
? The heads and figures of the ladles
of the court were for the most part
5- fearfully and wonderfully bedecked,
r in some Instances the horn shaped
r headdress had been followed by yet
d loftier steeples, "battlements to combat
God with gold, silver and pearls,
wherein the lances were great forked
>r plus and thcTarrows the little pins."
it With more simplicity the Princess Gould
tsn wore her hair cased in n network of
It French tnoralist who nssuneu iub i,.?u
er bristling ramparts of vanity would
[e perhaps have borne In silence this
ir more modest bastion of the flesh and
e. the devil.
it But the face bcueath was a greater
danger to those who hold that beauty
it Is a menace to salvation. On her cheek
is hung the rosy banner of youth. In her
eyes shone the bright arrows of cond
quest. And the duke, discarding bis
backwardness, as a soldier his cloak
le before battle, watched the hue that
r. mantled her face, proffered his open
II breast to the shining lances of her
a- gaze and capitulated unconditionally
c- before the smile of victory ou her blood
n. red lips. With his great shoulders, his
m massive neck and broad, virile face he
w seemed n Cyclops among pygmies In
io 'hat gathering of slender courtiers, and
she but a flower by bis side,
j. "1 thought, sire, your duke was Until
orons, bashful as a boy?" murmured
the Countess d'Etnmpes to the king,
a- "He was?on the road!" answered the
iy king thoughtfully.
ir -men uas lie murveiousiy recovered
>f" his assurance."
Ill "In love, madam, as in battle, the
zest grows with the fray," said Frnuil
cis, with meaning,
jk "And the duke is reputed a brave
E?d soldier. He looks very strong, as if?
Ue almost?he might succeed with any
id woman he were minded to carry off."
u "To carry off!" laughed the monarch,
ho "'TIs he, madam, who will be bound
ic- lu tethers. At heart lie's shamefaced
ad os n callow younker."
She willfully shook her head. "No
g. woman could keep him in lending
rd strings, your majesty. There Is something
domineering, savage, crushing,
n- in his hand. Look at It on the table
i's there. Is It not mighty as an iron
Py gauntlet? What other man at the
board has such a brutal hand? The
or strength in It makes me shudder. Will
!t- she not bend to It; kiss it?"
ho With amused superiority Francis read
gnrded his fair neighbor on the loft.
"Women, madam, are but hasty judges
ic- of men," lie said dryly, "and then 'tis
id- fancy more than reason which governs
their verdict. If the duke should
w. seem overconfident 'tis to hide a eer
er tain modesty, and not to nppenr out ol
of confidence In so large a company."
ve "And yet. sire, at their first meetlns
re be (lid not comport himself like on<
ed easily put out," persisted the favorite
, n "' 'Tia with n cold hand you wolconn
me, princess,' he said, noticing her in
mr sensibility of manner. Then rising h<
ho gazed upon her long and deep, as i
? fiftlrllni* mirrlif aurvov a hntflnflolil A ?/
I J| ?U. .VJ II Winnvi.vm. '??!
m- yet.' said he, still holding her fingers
Ills 'I'll warrant me warm blood cotlh
mt course through this little hand.' A
that the color rose In her cheek. He
:e i hold, the statue was touched with life
all Qn<l 8he looked at him as drawi
an. against her will! 'If my hand be cold
hi- my lord,' she answered courteously, 'i
er- belies the character of your welcome,
us Whereupon he iuughed like one wli
ad. has had a victory."
in- "Beshrew me," said the king, modi
Itt. fylng bis }n%{ observation, "If woope:
,? ?TjT"^
"la not the wln<\ to ypHr-liklugl" .lio
nsked, bis hand tightening on her
eliair. "Perhaps It is-too sour for your
taste?"
"Nay. I thought it rather sweet," she
answered. "Oh, I meant not thitt*'?
"It Is sweet wine, princess." he said,
setting down an erirnty glass. "Sweeter
than our Austrian vintage. Not
white and thin and watery, but redred
as blood, red as your heart's blood
or mine."
Crash! Tram the band of the duke's
Jester had fallen a goblet to the floor.
The priucess started, turned. For n
moment their glances bridged the distance
from where she sat to the fools'
end of the table. Then hers slowly
fell; slowly, and she passed a hand
whereon shone the king's ring across
her brow; looked up, as though once
more to span infinity with her gaze,
when her eyes fell short and met the
duke's. Deliberately be lifted his filled
glass.
"Hod as your heart's blood and mine,
my love," lie repeated, and then stared
sharply across the table at his Jester.
Triboulet, staggering in his chair so
high his feet could not touch the floor,
surveyed the broken glass, the duke
nti/1 rliibft'e fnnl
"Ho. ho!" he bellowed, the better to
attract attention to himself. "The duke
sent his fool to amuse his betrothed,
[ and the fool hath lost his henrt to his
1 mistress." .
The king left off his whispering,
i Catharine turned from the chancellor,
Dlauo ceased furtively to regard Call*
lette, while the queen . of .Navarro
laughed nervously and murmured:
[ "Princess and jester! It will make "
another tale."
Rut Henry of Navarre looked gravely
down. lie and Francis' queen, a
passive spectator at the feast, and a
bishop whose Interest lay in a truffled
capon alone followed not the direction
of the duke's eyes. The fair favorite
t of the king clapped her hands, but the
i monarch frowned, not having forgot
ten that night in Fools' hall when the
I Jester had appointed rogues to offices.
"What is this? A fool in love with
' the princess?" said the king ominously.
"Even so, your majesty!" cried Trl5
boulet. "Rut a moment ago Duke Robi
ert did Svhisper to his bride to be, and
\ the fool's hand trembled like a leaf
and dropped his glass! Tnv la, la!
3 What a situation! Holy St. Bagpipe!
4 Here's a comedy In high life!"
1 "A comedy!" repeated the duke and
t half rose from his ehnir, regarding his
1 fool with surprise and anger,
t Now Trihoulet roared. Had Ifo not
in the pnst attained his high position
(< of favorite Jester to the king by his
n very foolhardibood? And were hot
I trusting lovers and all too confiding
t husbands the legitimate butt of all
;? Jesting?
o "1-ook at the fool!" he tvr-d on exnltant'y
"Does any one. ?' <uht Ma
Iit
ou *??...
?*???rr
nre uot nil eyes and ears! I. neither
hoard nor saw all that. A little con- *
, straint? a, natural blush to punctuate .
I their talk-the meeting .seemed con\teu- '
, tioual enough. /'J"ls through your?o\vji .
romantic heart you looked. Anne."Quicker
circulated the goblets of sll
ver, gold and crystal; foster hobbled . .
the pretty lips; brighter grew tlie eyes
beneath the stupendous towers thnt
' crowned the heads of the court-ladle*. ..
> All talked "at once without disturbing * '
the king, who now * whiskered' *SOTt* * * *
nothings 'In tlW "ear 'of" thc*.coutMees?.
From the other tables in the ball arose
a varying cadence of clatter and laughter.
which increased with the' noise-;
and din of tlnr king's own bard,' n
clamor always just subservient to the
deeper chorus of the royal party, an
accompaniment, as It were, full, yet
unobtrusive, to the hubbub from the
more exalted company.
Singularly pale, unusually tranquil,
the duke's fool furtively watched his
master and the princess. In contrast
to his composure Jacqueline's mcrrt-'
ment sccincd the more unrestrained.
She laughed like a witch, her hands,
flashed with pretty gestures, and she
bad so tossed her head her hair floated
around her, wild and disordered.
"Why nre you so quiet?" she wills-"
pcred to the duke's fool. '
"Is there not enough merriment, mistress?"
he answered gravely..
"There can never be any to spare,"
she said. "And you would do well to
remember your ollice."
"What do you mean?" he asked absently.
"That ynu have many enemies; that
yon cannot live at court with a jaun- ^
diced countenance. Ilcig'.io! Alnckudny!
You should hie yourself back to
the woods and barren wastes of Fried wnld,
Master Fool."
Her sparkling glance returned to the
exhilarating scene. Well had the 'assemblage
been called a court of love;
Now soft eyes Invited burning glances,
nnd graceful heads swayed allurlugjy
toward the handsome eavnliers wlib
momentarily had found lodgment fn
hearts which, like palaces, had many
antechambers. From hidden recesses
strains of music tilled the room with
tinkling passages of sensuous but Illusive
harmony, a dream of ardor masked
In the daintiness of a minuet.
Upon the hack of the princess' chair
rested one of the duke's hands. With
the other lie lifted his glass, a frail
thing In fingers better adapted for a
B'.vord hilt or massive battle mace!
"Drink, princess," he said, bending
' over her, "to?our meeting!"
Her eyelids fluttered before his look.
Her breast rose a little. The sear on
his' brow held her gaze, as One fascinated.
but she drew away slightly and
mechanically sought the tiny golden '
goblet at her elbow. Dreamily, dreamily
sounded the rhythmical music;
heavily, heavily hung the perfume in
the air. Fuli of mist seemed the hall;
the king, the queen, the countess, all 6T
The touch