Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-09
CHAPTER III.
THE DANCE.

semblance of q Court. But the colored
lanterns hanging from the trees, the rose
garlands adjoining the royal tent, the
white dresses of the maidens, the brill
liant uniforms OF the men, worked
wonderful transformation. To the minds
of the islanders, who had flocked to-
gether in body to greet their King, the
spectacle was enchanting past belief.
IL pornp Was not to be trsnsplanted TO
this sea-grt domain, no more was cere-
mony. The King, being as yet bache-
Tor. had brought no ladies in his train.
To the naive fisher-folk it seemed the
most natural thing in the world that he
should dance with Ermengarde. The
head forester was one of the leading per-
sonageg OF the island, and his daughter
the fairest and most accomplished girl 1t
conld boast OF. A burst of applause rose
from the assembled crowd as the right
royal-iooking pair now stepped forth. II
kin9ly the mien of this young man. but
lately and unexpectedly called from a
sailors life TO wear a crown, queenly,
also the tall, stately, golden-haired NAL
den now standingby his side.
Emengarde had never looked more
beautiful. An amount OF hauteur, half
playful half serious, lent piquancy to
her spirited loneliness. She was atfront-
ed with the King for the blunder into
which he had entrapped her. She was
half inclined to accuse him OF frivolity
of character, unexpected in her guest Of
the day before.
"You sec | am here to redeem my
promise" he said smiling. 81 trust you
are not displeased to find in me an old
acquaintance "
NAY" said Ermengsrde. "How can
l help being displeased? l have lost
one who might have been my friend. "
"Can king have no friends, then ?"
he asked, coloring with vexation, per-
picked as well as bewitched by this
island beauty. "You will make me
wish that 1 could maintain yesterday S
incognito forever.
Ermengarde slightly blushed. She
knew well enough that any breach Of
etiquette would be more than forgiven
Just now; all the more, she was deter
mined not to commit any.
"Sire-" she began, intending to
apologize for the freedom OF the day be-
fore, and at the same time TO convey q
covert reproach.
stopped her gayly and ioyously.
"No ceremonies. no titles tonight, |
entreAt-I command. For this once,
and for you, am the Kings messenger.
Indeed must have it SO"
"Then," said Ermengarde brightly,
"to the Kings messenger [ may openly
say what is in my mind. He should not
have come here under a false pretence.
/ might have compromised others be-
sides myself
The candid brow clouded over ; the
genial voice had tone OF bitterness in
it as he replied:
"You have evidently a poor idea of
human nature. Should l stoop to such
meanness 2"
"Pardon-a thousand times / ask
pardon" Ermengarde said, greatly vexed
at the misinterpretation put upon her
words. al but meant TO say that l
might have given wholly wrong i'm
preston of these good isher-folk. See
how loyal they are !" She smiled gaily
and added: 81 believe / am the only
malcontent in this part of your Majesty s
dominions.'
"You are not speaking to the King,
remember" he replied. but let me ex-
plain why made that sudden raid upon
You Yesterday. You know my story.
Who seemed less likely year ago to in
herit crown than myself? One fine
morning |, the sailor prince, am torn
away from my free, careless life and sa-
luted with the title of King. That Of
Pope, Primo Minister, or Crown lawyer
would have been equally appropriate "
Unfortunately crown IS not
awarded as a premium upon capacity.
Had it been put up for competitive e1-
animation you might have escaped,
smiled Ermengarde.
well, perhaps, for me had it been
So" he said, smiling also. Then he
went on in a graver tone My tastes
have ever been in quite other lines. l
have always valued my freedom above
everything; freedom TO roam the world,
to lead the life of an explorer, and -
here he looked at her meaningly-" to
settle down in home OF my own choos-
ing when fancy willed. lido not pretend
to say that my changed prospects are
altogether displeasing to me now. Who
can help being influenced by his sur
roundings? shall, dare say, gradually
grow into a wholly altered being"
"Yes," Ermengarde answered, slowly
and sadly. of ever you visit this island
again you will certainly not dance with
the head forester's daughter. You will
not wish your subjects TO forget that you
are King then"
lyon are right" he said. 81 feel that
not only my youth but my nature must
be sacrificed to my greatness ; that slow
" vet surely and irreyocably 1 shall be-
come a stranger to my former self.
Here, for last brief moment, | snatch q
breath of liberty. But it was something
more than a mere wild caprice that made
me steal march on my courtiers yester-
day." He glanced around and added in
an undertone "Fame had reached me
of the head foreaer's daughter. Iwant-
ed to Judge for myself if these islanders
had bossted too much Of their queen. "
A deep blush dyed Ermengarde's
cheeks, and once more that remonstrative
"Sire" rose to her lips.
Remember our compact" he said.
"Surely no hard one to keep for SO brief
a period. L may not be unhappier than
the ordinary run of mortals | may sue
coed in sitting the generous impulses Of
my youth, but no moment of the future
can rival this. Do not rob me of what,
once lost, can never be replaced.
There was not vestige of coquetry in
Ermengsrde's disposition, but she slowed
as she listened to these flattering words.
All her old liking for the frank, genial
Kings messenger had come back. There
was the feeling OF youth, too, which
drew them together, the sense OF COM
radeship, sympsthy-call it what We
will-that leads one human being to
open his heart to another.
"You must not dance with me any
more, for all that, she said. "You are
the King to others, if only his messen-
ger to me"
"And the lsst-named parsonage will
not quit this island without bidding you
farewell, he answered. Expect me at
A. kooJ f,.<-,&.~sa l. o,,ea hoFora / M