The Washingtonian., 1845-06-07


of the company with which lovers are avoided
Claude was jealous, though he fancied no one
knew il; and his wit found vent at the expense
Of Watham, who was rather dull;b or these
occasions, the Lady Blanche would fly TO her
suitor's aid, and generally discomftted the
assaiIant. #l
1t was the night before Claudes departure.
No one could be more unhappy than he had
been for the preceding fortnight; against hope
he had vet ventured to hope, and single re-
lentng word from hs mistress would give rise
to the mosi extravagant areamsk 4 nhtth chill
ling Indifference or merry railleryof the Lady
Blanche had at last cured him. On this occa
sion he was the gayest of the gay. They were
talking Of contemplated journey Of the fair
hostess.
Il think Of going around by the border. Il
is long since saw it. What say yol to it.
Cousin Claude? You are as merry as sing
ing bird tonight, and would be ready. suppose,
| to advise me to rush into ions den."
"You surely jest" said he, with earnessness.
"The border is very unquiet, and you would
run great risk Of being made captive" @s
"Why, the mans suddenly become timorous
as a monk" said the Lady Blanche, but she
blushed slightly notwithstanding Think you,
noble gentlemen, that lady Of England may
| not traVel IN neT HdtIVc Fe3iH WITHOUT l6dT OI
capture! What say you ~
~ think" said the Earl Of Waltham, with
naughty glance at Claude, !" That the Lady
| Blanche may travel anywhere, if she has valiant
| knights for her escort !: and for one offer my
poor sword to defend her"
"What think you of that, Cousin Claude -
said the lady, triumPhantly.
"My Lord Of Watham is brave gentleman"
| said he with low bow, but think has never
| crossed lances with the Scots. | won my spurs
against them, and know the people; and n still
adhere to my opinion that it would be dangeI
GUS for you to undertake that route at present. :,
The Lady Blanche hesitated, for this earneA-
ness was not lost on her. Indeed, she had, at
| first, proposed the contemplated route only in
Jest. but feminine whm, or some hiddeR motive.
had made her persevere in it on hearipg Claude's
disapprobation. She was now again in doubt.
Claude saw his advantage. ~
LADY" he said eagerly, 81 know you will
4 not go! Indeed / ask it as "a farewell favor. Z
He was surprised into speaking thus: the
| instant he had done SO he saw his error The
Lady Blanche colored, and then said, with a
I slight curl Of the lip .. X
! sOh. we forgot tl,ass Sir N,fastic Marstcn
4 was used to dicIating FOR iady's favors. But,
perhaps" she added, looking laughingly around
on the rest Of the group, she thinks we may
| lay our injunction on him, as our good cousin,
4 to 60 with us, and having no taste for those
Scottish broad-swords, would persuade us to
travel southwark. But never fear-we are a
knights daughter. and dread no foe. So we
absnlve you from all duty to US, and while you
go to play at silken tournaments, our Lord OF
Waltham. with our squire Sir John Neville,
will bear US through the Douglas lances."
The cheek Of Claude burned like fire at this
calling speech; but the speaker was lady,
and he could take no notice Of it. He bowed.
$50 be it, he said, with difficulty mastering
his rage; and then turned on his heel and
walked from the room.
The Lady Blanche had, perhaps, gone further
than she intended, for she changed color. but
added quickly and gayly--
"DId you ever sec such ferocious animal !?
And he was once, too, as dainty and we-be
haved--you all can testify--as my pet grey
! hound. What can he the matter with Cousin
Claude?" i.
/ The young knight was boiling with indigna-
tion as he reached his room 1t had been the
first time he had been thus publicly sighted for
the stupid Waltham; but what else, he now
asked himself, could he have expected!
"Fool, fool that was" he said, as he strobe
10 and fro in his apartment "She thinks, or
affects to think, am coward. BY St. George,
1 only wish that dolt, Waltham, had dared to
add syable--I would have made him eat his
words.'
4 He chafed thus for nearly half an hour; then
his passion, in part subsidized.
at was a Dream" he said "a dream cher.
ished in spite of a thousand rebuffs /; but it is
over. Yet, Lady Blanche, | cannot see you
fall victim to your own nfatuation. 100
will 90 around by the border, secretly guarding
YOU till you safely reach Durham. Perhaps,
some day you may hear of II, and do me JUS
tice."
(. 'l'he next morning, long before sunrise, Claude
and his few followers were in the saddle, and
/. withou, further leave-taking had turned their
back on Delaney Castle.
/ I, wa- near high noon on the third day af'er
/ leaving Delaney Castle, that Claude with his
| tile lroop slowly wended bis way up long
hill, near the border, commanding an extensive
/ view of the surrounding country. For three
DAYS h. had kept unobserred between the Lady
] Blanche and the Scottish frontier, maintaining
constant look out; but during the last twenty
| four hours his scouts had lost sight of her cav
Sacade, though Claude still believed it to be on
the English side of the route he was pursuing
Suddenly, however, on attaining the brow of
The bill, he saw before him in the valley thick
cloud Of dust. from which cleaned occasionally
the glitter of helmet and arms, while the clash
OF weapons in fray and the shouts Of combat
ants rose 20 hs ear sofiened by the distance.
| A nonentary breeze that swept aside the dust