The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1901-10-22
OLD POITIERS ROSES

hoSS5 ~ illlldH pIOCSsSlOu iOQe III, CRUSH.
ing the flower carpet of the steep, narrow
street; and on every side cries of welcome
were ringing. From below the rocks, where
bank, and far up the hill; from quaint win
dow and door; from %turret, and roof, and
street; everywhere came banners waving,
bells echoing the chimes of the Hotel de
Vile, flower showers and loyalty rolling it's
sweet thunder.
give lie Roll"
give lie Regent"
The regents palfrey led on with nom
chalance, quite used to such ovation for bear
ing cloth of gold and this queen, Blanche
de Castillo. Alongside rode the boy king;
then, hardly less splendidly mounted, came
the court train; and following, on their
more sober mules, the great magistrates of
France. For parliament had been con-
voked from Paris for the case de Bergerac,
and others, here in ancient Poitiers; and the
beauty and chivalry of the land came, as
the custom was, to honor its justice. The
castle of the lord high treasurer, which had
been made ready to receive the royal party,
stood in the Field of Roses, and the regent
decided that, since so great an assembly
would be eager to witness the trials, to-
morrow's court should be held there. Mean
time night was passing merrily as the gala
day, and the travellers at length sought
their apartments.
Near the queens part of the castle were
lodged Pierre Dubinsson, first president of
the august body of magistrates, and his
daughter, beautiful Marie, loved by the
queen-also by Count Philibert de la
Marche, which makes the story of old Poi
tiers roses. To the counts suit Marie had
faltered mo, no." but he would not hear.
He had set heart and mind on winning her,
he said, and would accept nothing less. So
it had come to pass that wherever the fair
Marie appeared folk smiled and looked for
Count Philibert; and they would willingly
have helped on his suit, for he was amiable
and handsome as well as talented; if any
shook the head over his Indifference to bust
ness they could not but smile on his high
spirit and graciousness. Indeed, there were
not two people in the land more popular
thar Count Philibert and Mile. Marie.
But
"You have a great name" said Marie.
"For centuries our people have dwelt in
great castles and been famous as rulers,
while l am the daughter of a man great
only in goodness of heart and wisdom. How
can | let your people be ashamed of me and
mine?"
'What nonsense cried Philibert, and
much more, and bided his time.
This young count was a judge as well as
a peer of France, and he had been chosen to
present the de Bergerac ease before the
house. At which there was much anxiety
and some laughter, for he had never been
a lover of hard work, and now, all knowing
where his mind dwelt, there was little
thought of his sparing any portion to aught
SO tedious as a case in law.
"It will be postponed" was the common
verdict.
That was also what Philibert had decided,
and he went to serenade Marie. Her apart
ment was near the queens, and looked out
apon the ~loveliest portion of the rose gar
den.
The gala day was over, and a misty star
light %deepened the shadows of the old city.
All it's happy voices were silent. The soft
wind stirring carried only perfume, and the
rustic of leaves and the sweet murmur of the
river. Philibert paused an instant, listening
to that low song of the ripples, and musing
lightly on the memories that might lie be-
low. That little river, and its twin on the
farther side, must have known Roman rev.
els, and those far, far days when the Celtic
cairn yonder was new. And this would not
be the first time it had sung with a lover.
Philibert laughed and went on to Marie's
easement. Twas an exquisite love song
that he had ready, and he began it right
joycusly.
For surely" he thought, "she will listen
and look out if only to see these perfect
roses of those stars so like her radiant self;
on such a night her heart cannot be hard"
- JTno,, H. ,,a,,. 49, H. =. ,, 49,.
stir, and breathlessly hushed his song. But
this is what Marie whispered down to him:
Are you not ashamed, m~onseigneur?"
"Ashamed!" echoed the count.
Look about you. See the lights where
men are at work getting ready for to-mor-
row. And you, who have the greatest cause
of them all to plead, you''-a little sob
trembled in her voice-'you are singing a
song!"
"Ah. Is i. for the case that you care,
mademoiselle?"
Il am hurt to be so lightly esteemed"
/" Lightly esteemed!' You can say that to
me, Marie?"
"What else? Does not the thought of me
lead you to a song when"
Enough. You shall see. / go to make
my light, mademoiselle."
Good fortune, m~onsiegneur."
81 dream of happy fortune, Mile. Marie"
Good night"
Good night"
Across the Field of Roses next day a rip
pie of amusement passed when Count de
la Marche stood up; but it changed to as
constituent, then to keen attention. This
was no gay lover who had forgotten his
work; he spoke with the ease of one who
has mastered his subject, and with the fire
of one whose heart is in it. Two cases were
won when he sat down. The queen beck
oned him.
you have given us a pleasant hour, NJ.
lie Compile" she said, Il am much
interested to know why you have so long
held back this rare eloquence of yours, or,
rather, what has now loosed it,"
The count knelt down before her with a
flash of laughter in his eyes.
Gracious queen, if | might whisper the
secret"
Yes"
AN angel spoke to me out of last nights
starlight"
at is what thought said the regent,
laughing. Il have apartments within ear
shot of her."