The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-16
A Tournament in the 10th Century
BY MADAME GABRIELLE D 'ARvoR.
Translated for the yIRGINIAN.l
CHAPTER VIII.

Translated for the yIRGINIAN.l
CHAPTER VIII.
The day of the ball had come. Thu
apartments in the mansion had been ar
ranged for the reception dancing-rooms
cardrooms, billiard-room, refreshment
room: the gilded decorations were re
splendent i'll the light, the vestibules were
adorned with flowers; the terrace, bril-
liantly illuminated, covered with marquee
and set off with rare plants, formed {
a charming summer-house.
Mr.. and Madame de Tillac did tht
honors of the fete gracefully; the com
mandant was everywhere. Alice wa:
beaming and from time to time cast al
arch look at her friend. CASTOR was very
grave he could not fail to see thai
he was little pleasing to his cousin hi
understood that Mr. de Tilac wished tc
bring his daughter to the point of max
ing choice. If the heart of the
young girl had been disposed to favor him
the visits and the fetes would not have
been necessary. His Encouragement was
great; it seemed to him, and not unrea-
sonably, that all these demonstrations were
directed against him.
You are not in good spirits, y said his
uncle to him.
''How couldI be- he replied, when l
am present, powerless, at the ruin of my
hopes Of happiness
The cOmmandant was moved.
Matters are not yet utterly desperate.
vessel | should like to see my crew come
and tell me Captain, we have nothing to
do but surrender, we shall be beaten.
Thunder l would answer them, is this
the time 10 surrender? Let us begin the
fight and if we are too weak, we will at
least do our best to the end who has not
seen success gained by last desperate
effort Come, young man, since when
has Breton knight shown the white
feather at the moment Of battle ~
CASTOR wore his costume of the tourna-
ment and the Knight of the White En-
mine, who had displayed at Plougner
much skill and courage, was much admired
by the ladies, but he showed himself in
different to his success he would have
given them all for look from Laura and
be could not get this.
The young girl, beautiful among all in
her costume of medieval chatelaine, went
through the saloons speaking to and smil-
ing at everyone her eyes increasingly
sought the entrance door, two persons
were still absent from the fete-Franz de
Boissy and the mysterious knight.
| Count de T < \ y who at Plougner repre-
sented Ives, the Magnificent, had made it
a point of duty to come to the ball of Mr..
de Tillac he offered to Laura very
beautiful crown of roses.
Miss" said he, since this night renews
our lovely fete of the last spring-ti
allow me to place on your head the crown
which the homage of the victor in the
tournament decreed to you.''
Laura placed in her hair the garland of
roses and returned thanks to the Count,
amid the acclamations of the knights who
surrounded her.
That hall, embellished with double
row of ladies', clothed in varied costumes,
the major part old-time ones, made
charming coup d oeil, for many of them,
having been present at the tournament,
had put on again the same attire.
An excellent orchestra struck up a
quadrille and the ball opened. The Com
mandant de Tillac invited for the first
quadrille the Countess de IT, and Ives,
the Magnificent, offered his arm to Laura.
The dancing began, and the flow of
| spirits did not for moment relax.
Towards eleven O'Clock, the wearied
ladies demanded little rest and the dane
ing was interrupted.
AT that moment the Commandant en-
tered the grand salon and said:
Fair ladies', l introduce to you an
amiable troubadour who asks hospitality :;
you will approve of my having accorded it
to him." A murmur of assent answered
these words. the poet was introduced he
advanced towards Laura and made pro-
found bow. 1t was Franz de Boissy. He
Wore with grace and ease his troubadour
costume, asweet and penetrating express
sion animated his looks, his voice trembled
a little when he addressed the young
girl.
Alice, who was standing near her friend
| looked at Franz with such stupefaction
that she remained motionless, not seeing
that the young man was bowling also to
her.
See, Lere is Alice changed into
statue, said Laura.
rs it I, miss, who produce this effect,
asked Franz.
II didn't expect to see you in that cos
tume7'
Wherefore not - said be without SEEM
ing to understand her.
II don't know, an idea; | was mis-
taken, "murmured she in lower Tone
Sir troubadour, they wish to hear
you,' resumed Mr.. de Tillac, tune up
your mandolin and give US one of your
sweetest songs.''
All had resumed their places the trou-
badour, after a short pause, chanted:
arthur, the Knight. was dreaming of Yseult.
| was separated from her.
''The gentle damsel knew not of the love of
| the knight.
"She was beautiful, her eyes reflected the
azure of the skies; her golden hair waved in
she breathing of the breeze; her color was fairer
than the lily; as sweet and good as she was
| lovely, Yseult solaced misfortune, her heart
sympathised with the unhappy.
"Yseult, sweet chatelane here comes on his
fiery steed Arthur, the Knight; he bears your
colors and, in your name he grants mercy to
his foes he defends the weak and the OPP
pressed.
"The father of Yseult, q powerful lord has pro-
claimed tournament; the victor shall have
for reward Yseult, the beautiful and sweet
damsel
From every side assemble numerous knights
who for her love " i'll break many lance. The
brave knight arrives, anxious to carry away
from all the prize of the conflict.
"He breads no danger; he attacks the most
| famous champions, he breaks shields and sends
rolling in the dust all his adversaries; his love
| makes him invincible
He is proclaimed victor he has won the fair
Yseult. Honor to the happy knight and joy to
his sweet betrothed
Franz had very fine voice he sang