The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1874-10-04


Some twenty yards after the heralds came
the king, Philip the Fair, q horse of majes-
tic figure and PAGES. Among all the knights
about him there was not one that approached
him in beauty of features. His black hair
flowed in long waving locks upon his shoul-
ders; +; his complexion WED with that of any
lady for softness and clearness, while his light
brown hue impaired to his countenance an ex-
preston of manly vigor. His smile was sweet
and his manner remarkably captivating. Add
ed to this, a lofty stature, well-formed limbs,
aud easy carriage, made him in all externals
the most perfect knight of his day and thence
his surname, by which he was known through
out Europe, of lie Bel, or, as translate it,
| the Fair. His dress richly embroidered
with gold and silver, yet not overloaded with
| ornament; it clear that good taste, and
not love of display, had guided the selection.
The silvered helmet which glittered his
head bore q large plume, which fell down be-
hind him to his horses Group.
Beside him rode his consort, the inperious
Joanna of Navarro, upon q dun-colored pal
| frey, her apparel all one blaze of gold, silver
and jewels. long rding-dress of gold-stuff,
secured in front with lace of silver cord, fell
| in heavy folds to tie ground, and glstened as
she went with its thousand ornaments. Both
she and her palfrey were so beset with studs,
buttons and tassels of the most costly materials
that scarcely single vacant spot could be per
ceived upon them.
Arrpr ance and vanity filed tho whole soul
of this princess, and it might be seen in her
countenance that the pomp of her entry had
filled her heart with pride. Full-blown in in-
science. she cast her naughty looks over the
conquered people who filed the windows, and
had even climbed upon the roofs of the houses
in order to look at the magnificent show.
On the other side of the king rode his son,
Louis Hutin, a young Prince of good disposi-
| tions, and who carried his greatness unassu-
| ningly. He regarded these new subjects of
his house with compassionate air and the
eyes of the citizens ever found gracious smile
upon his countenance. Louis possessed ali the
good qualities of his father unalloyed by any
| of the vices that might have been looked for
| in the son of Joanna of Navarro.
Immedia ely after the king aud queen came
| their personal attendants, gentlemen of the
chamber and ladies of honor; then a numerous
cavalcade of mobiles. all magnifcertly arrayed.
Anon them might be distinguished Engner
RAID de Marigny, De Chatillon, st. Pol, De
Nesle, De Nogaret, and many olhers. The
royal standard and numerous other banners
waved merrily over this princoly company.
Last of all came body of men-at-arns, or
heavy cavalry, some three hundred strong, all
of them armed from head to foob in steel, and
with long lances projecting above their heads
Their heavy chargers, too, were steel-barbed
from counter to crupper.
The citizens, every here and there gathered
into groups, looked on in solemn silence not a
single cry of welcome assembled from all that
multitude, no single sign of joy could any
where be seen. Stung to the soul at the cold
ness of this reception, j Joanna Of Navarro was
still more irritated at the looks of scorn and
hate which she could perceive from time to
| time were turned upon her.
As soon as the procession reached the market
place, the two figures of Fame, planted on the
pedestais put their trumpets to their mouths
and blew q blast of welcome that resounded
throughout the square upon which the magis
| trates and other Lilyards (of whom, however,
there were but few) raised the cry, "France
| Franco! Long live the king. long live the
| queen!"
Still more intense was the inward rage of
the proud queen, when not q single voice from
| the people or the companies joined in this cry,
and all the citizens stood :uotionless, without
giving the slightest sign of respect or pleasure!
Still, for the moment, she swallowed her wrath,
and contrived so to command her featuI esthat
| nothing of what she felt perceptible on
| her countenance.
little on one side of the throne was Sta
toned group of noble ladies, mounted on the
most beautiful palfreys; and all, in honor of
the occasion, so bedecked with jewelry that
the eye could hardly bea~ to rest upOn them.
Matilda, the fair youns laughter Of the Lion
of Flanders, had her place in the front row,
and the very first that fell under tho
queens eye. She was most ma-nifcer.l- at
tired. high pointed hat of yeIIow>sR-!S, -.
piously trimmed with ribbons Of red velvet,
sat lightly and gracefully upon her head; trom
under it fell flowing mahtlla of t!.e finest
lawn, which, shading her checks, covered neck
and shoulders, and reached down behind Doi1@
her waist, while, suspended from its poiat, and
fastened there by golden button, tnttered .