The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-04-15

L
| hold, the most beautiful and virtuous of
her maids eff honor. She had long loved
the Sire de Lagny, and their nuptla!s
were celebrated with rejoicings, but little
ominous of the result. De Lagpy was ac-
cused but year after of traitorously yield
ing to the emperor a fortress under his
command, and he was condemned to per-
petual Imprisonment. For some time
Emile was inconsoable, ,often visiting the
miserable dungeon of her husband, and
suffering, on her return from witnessing
his wretchedness, such paroxysms of
grief, as threatened her life. Suddenly,
in the midst of her sorrow, she disap-
peared; and inquiry only divulged the
disgraceful fact that she had escaped from
France, bearing her jewels with her, and
accompanied by her page Robinet Leroux.
1t was whispered that, during her jour
ney, the lady and her STRIPPING were often
seen together; and Margaret, enraged at
these discoveries, commanded that no
further quest should be made for her lost
favorite.
Taupted now by her brother, she de
Tended Emile, declaring that she be-
lieved her to be guiltless, even going so
far as to boast that within a month she
would bring proof of her innocence.
"Robinet was pretty boy" said Fran
CHS, laughing.
"Let US make bet," cried Margaret
"Tf | lose, | will bear this wild rhyme OF
thine as motto of my shame to nay grave;
if | win"
81 will break my window, and grant
thee whatever boon thou askest, said the
king.
The result of this bet was long sung by
troubadour and minstrel. The queen em-
ployed hundred emissaries published
rewards for any Intelligence of Emille-
all in vain. The month was expiring,
and Margaret would have given many
bright jewels to redeem her word. On
the eve of the fatal day, the jailer of the
prison IN which the Sire de Lagny was
confined, sought audience OF the queen
he brought her message from the
knight to say, that if the lady Margaret
obtain from her royal brother that he
might be brought before him, her bet was
won. Fair Margaret was very joyful, and
readily made the required promise. Fran
els was unwilling to see lis false servant,
but he was in high good humor, for a
cavalier had that morning brought intel
! lligeuce of victory over the imperialists.
The messenger himself was lauded in the
dispatches as the most fearless and brave
knight in France The king loaded him
with presents, only regretting that a VOW
prevented the soldier from raising visor
or declaring bis name.
The same evening as the setting sun
sbone on the lattice on which the ungal-
liant rhyme was traced, Francis reposed
on the same settee, and the beautiful
queen of Navarro, with triumph in her
bright eyes, sat beside him. Attended
by guards, the prisoner was brought in ];
his frame was attennated with privation,
and he walked with tottering steps. He
kuelt at the feet of Francis, and uncov-
cred his head a quantity of rich golden
hair then escaping, fell over the sunken
cheeks and pallid brow of the supplcant
"We have treason here p cried the
king. "Sir jailer, where is your pris-
oner p Ee
"Sire, blame him not" said the soft
faltering voice of Emile; "Wiser men
than be have been deceived by woman
My dear lord was guiltless of the crime
for which he suffered There was but
une mode to save him. | assumed his
chains, he escaped with poor RobiDet in
my attire; be joined your army; the
young gallant cavalier who delivered the
dispatches to your grace-whom you
overwhelmed with honors and rewards is
my own Buguerard de Lagny. | waited
but for his arrival with testimonials of
his innocence, to declare myself to the
lady queen. Has she not won the bet .?
and that boon she asks"
"Is de Lagny's pardon" said Margaret,
as she also kuelt to the king "Spare
your faithful vassal, sire, and reward this
lady's truth p
Francis first broke the false speaking
window, then he raised the ladies from
their supplicatory posture.
In the the tournament given to ceie.
brate this "triumph of ladies'" the sire
de Lagny bore of every prize and surely
there was more loveliness in Emilie's fad
ed cheek-more grace in her emaciated
form.-types as they were of the truest
affection than the prouder bearing and
fresher complexion of the most brilliant
beauty in attendance on the courtly fes.
tival