The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-06-16

rustcd keys, and with downcast look
she said, "My Lord will please to ac-
cept the keys of this brave old town."
and she held them toward him with
such gracefulness that i'm amaze he
stopped from his saddle, stroked her
dark tresses with his mailed hand, and
inquired who she was.
"My name, my Lord, is Ellen, and
this is my father, Peter Ingleverre,"
said she.
"And your age, sweet damsel?" ask
ed he.
"Sixteen last Candlemas," rejoined the
little maid, who looked a perfect woman,
so innocent and yet so heroic, as she
ventured to raise her head, that the
King forgot his disasters of war in sud-
denly inspired love; and while he in
dulged in pleasure he could i'll conceal,
between their hands the keys fell to the
ground. This gave him pretext to
alight; and surrendering the bride to a
courtier, he graciously received her faith
er, and between him and her walked into
town.
BY this time the sun was on the wane,
and Peter, who was governor, besought
his Majesty to sOjourn for the night, and
he would soon have fifty prime cooks to
prepare royal feast.
TO this Francis, who nothing more
desired than an invitation, consented ;
and he accompanied Ellen home to her
fathers house, where some time after a
band of trained violars arrived to COM
memorate with songs the happy visit.
Ellen entertained the King with art
less talk so interspersed with sense that
her conquest over her suitor became
complete. And when placed by her
side at dinner, he forgot venison and
pasty, and beallers of wine; for though
so many other ladies shared the honor
of his presence, to none were his atten-
tions so refinedly pointed as to the
daughter of his venerable host. Per.
haps some enEied her the distinction, OF
which she appeared unconscious; and
some of the envyers were surprised tt
see her retire from the hall, observing
as she passed, that this was feint tt
draw the King more deeply in her coils,
Ellen merely said she had arrange
ments to make for the morrow.
"And why not for tonight, cousin p
asked the King, who, when the wine
bowls had passed more than once, hat
followed her from table, and discovered
;,, littla nIn
"And why not tonight, fair Ellen? ~
reiterated he, suasively withdrawing
the book from her hand. She did not re
ply, while he tossed over the illuminated
leaves, where pictured saints seemed t.
frown upon him chidingly. The silence
evidently disconnected him, but he eva
ded his chagrip in smiles.
"We come, charming cousin, tt
breathe unalterable fidelity in thy car "
said he.
"What's charmed portal, my Lord?'
said she, interrupting him, and draw
ing back.
"We swear by thy mild blue eyes
that none whom Francis ever loved
shall be SO beloved as Ellen" said he
"My Lord" said she, "rve heard of
holy books bursting their clasps when
pcrjured mouths come nigh. Beware
of robbing my poor eyes of modesty
their only clasping-seal. Toward me,
| warn you, practise neither falsehood
nor Inconsistency.
"By our knighthOod, we shall be
true to thee, girl, till our heart hath nc
throb for any living creature"
"Will you love me till my hair be
gray?"
Enchantress! we shall love thee
vert thou withered crone from which
hideousness itself might recoil," cried
he so affectionately that she paused.
"And for what am | SO vastly inesti-
mable?" said she hesitatingly. sit
cannot be my tresses-a few clips OF
the shears, and farewell my pride in
ringlets to the winds. 1t may not be
my brow, for care shall soon furrow it
and blanch my cheek, which now seems
bloomingly. Care, too, shall more peak
my chin, and charms, if have any, be
most perishable."
"Lady, we love thee more for thy
good sense than for thy beauty" said
he; and in stepping closer toward her
his spur struck the door, which closed
with spring. He rubbed his hands to-
gether, and expressed delight at an Incl
dent which created in her considera-
BILE trepidation, that soon subsidized into
Il calm.
81 was childish enough to be alarm
ed but have nothing to fear from a
true knight. His most Christian Maj
esty would not Oppress the meanest of
his subjects, or betray confidence where
he is an honored guest" observed she,
drawing a chair before her, and leaning
in an easy posture over its tall carved
back.
"Not for diadem would we harm
thee, dearest" said he. Yet by our
sword we would sooner forfeit every
acre of old Navarro, and leave Italy the
brightest jewel in our rivals crown,
than forego thy love, Thou must be
ours :" and the enraptured monarch dis
engaged her from the bulwark, and en-
braccd her ere she could eXtricate her.
self from his arms.
"Hist heard you no noise" breath
ed she softly, and she held her finger to-
ward the door. He heard none, nor had