The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18

as here portrayed, is a very charming and
a very human person. ''She could not help
it," moralizes Sir Edwin, that God had
seen mt to make her the fairest being on
earth, and the responsibility would have to
lie where it belonged-with God; Mary
would have none of it, Her attractiveness
was not a matter of volition or intention on
her part She was too young for deliberate
are-setting-though it often begins very
early in lfe-and made no effort TO attract
men. Mans love was too cheap a thing for
her to strive for, and l am sure, in her
heart, she would infinitely have preferred
to live without it-that is, until the right
one should come. The right one is always
on his way and, first or last, is sure to come
TO every woman-sometimes, alas, too late
and when he comes, be it late or early, she
crowns him. even though he be long
cared ass. Blessed crown, and thrice-blessed
blindness-else there were fewer corona
tions."
The beginning and the growth of the
prineess's love for Brandon are Skilnully
depicted. Being a man without rank,
though a brave soldier aud one who stood
well at court, he did not at first figure in
her thoughts as a possible husband, and 1t
was only as her objection grew in intensity
and she realized what the future would
be without him that she began 10 think of
him in that light. The gradual vanishing of
her royal pride and the transformation of
the naughty princess into the woman ready
to give up wealth and station for loves
sake-come about so naturally that the art
of the writer in achieving this admirable
bit of work is lost sight of.
"A DANCING LESSON.
1t is not fair to an author or his read
ers to outline his story in a review, and the
plot of when Knighthood was in Flower
will be left for each reader to discover, but
there are incidents which it will do no harm
to touch upon. One pretty scene in the book
is where Master Brandon dances with the
princess. The four young people had met
in Princess Mary's apartments. Sne had
gayly rallied Master Brandon OF some frank
speech of his.
For answer Brandon laughed, and that
gave us the cue, and away we went in a
ripping chorus, all about nothing. Some
persons may call our laughter foolish, but
Of all wisdom. st. George I'd give my
Garter for just one other laugh like that;
for just one other hour of youths dancing
blood and glowing soul warmth, of sweet
unconscious, happy heart beat and paradise
creating joy in everything
While in this happy frame Of mind some
one proposed dance. Lady Jane furnished
the music with her lutte, and Brandon and
the princess danced. Nothing could be
more graceful than Brandon's dancing, un-
less it were Marys. Her slightest move
ment was grace itself. When she would
throw herself backward in thrusting out
her toe. and then swing forward with her
head a little to one side, her uplifted arm
undulating like the white neck of a swan
for her sleeve. which was slit to the Shout
der. fell back and left it bare-she was a
sight worth long journey to see."
Then he taught her the new dance, the
waltz. which he had learned in France.
If Lady Jane will kindly play some lively
air, written IN the time of The Sailor Lass,
said Brandon.
Jane threw one plump little knee over the
other and struck up The Sailor Lass"
After she had adjusted the playing to Bran
dons suggestion, he stepped deliberately in
front Of Mary, and, taking her right hand
in his left, encircled her waist with his right
arm. The girl was startled at first and
drew away. This nettled Brandon a little,
and he showed it plainly.
Il thought you wished me to teach you
the new dancer he said.
Il do, but-but did not know it was
a ere that Sny a ns rpsd NTH bi @
with q half shy, half apologize manner, and
then dropping her lashes before his gaze.
One of the great charms OF the book Is
its wholesome atmosphere. 1t is a love tale,
pure and simple. and though the scenes are
laid in the midst of the corrupt courts of
England and France, the grossness there is
so lightly touched upon that it does not mar
the tale. There is nothing of the morbid
or the degenerate that makes so much Of
the modern fiction a WEAKNESS to the soul
it is. indeed; charming romance. and the
author, who so modestIy holds himself in
the background. is to be congratulated on
hic xuo,.ly