Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-04-27
CHAPTER Nil.

that night crowded in the rear
courtyard around the great tn.
bles set In the open mir and grooming
beneath viands nutritious and succu-
lent. What swain or yokel had not
need Of praise for the monarch when
he beheld this burden Of good cheer
and at the end of each board. elevated
q little and garlanded with roses, q ro-
tund and portly cask of wine. with a
spigot projecting Hospitality tableware?
Within the kings pavilion the specta-
Gle alluded TO regretfully by the girl
and indiferently by the man was ut
that moment being enacted. Upon a
throne Of honor the lady Of the tourna-
ment. attended by two maids, looked
down on brilliant assemblage. through
which now approached the king and
the princess betrothed. The latter
seemed somewhat thoughtful. His eye
had but encountered that of the dukes
fool, whose gaze expressed a disdain
full confidence the other fain would
have fathomed. But for that unfortu-
nate meeting in the lists which had
sealed the lips Of the only person who
had OWNED the hidden danger tho free
baron would now have been master Of
the plaisant's designs. Above in the
palace the trooper with the red mus
taehes lay on his couch unconscious.
For how long? The court physician
could not say. The soldier might re-
main, insensible for hours. Thus had
the Jester served himself with that
stroke better than he knew. and he Of
Hochfels bit his lip and fumed inward
~, but to no purpose not that he be-
lieved the peril to be great. but the
fact he could not grasp it goaded him,
and he cursed the trooper for a dolt
and a poltroon that a mere fool should
have vanquished him. And so he had
left him. with last look Of disgust at
the silent lips that could not do his
bidding. and had proceeded to the royal
pavilion. where the final act of the
days drama, more momentous than
the king or other spectators realized,
was to be performed, an act IL which
he would have appeared with much
complacency but that his chagrin prey
I'd somewhat on his vanity.
But his splendid self control and au-
dacity revealed to the courtly as
semblage NO trace of what was pass
ing in his mind. He walked by the
kings side as one not unaccustomed
to such exalted company nor over
whe%A'ed By sudden donors. His cour.
age was superb. his demeanor that Of
one born to command: in him seemed
exempli6ed type of brute strength
and fierce denoting a leader-whether
Of an army or band of swashbuc-
klers. AS the monarch and the free
baron drew near, the princess slowly.
gracefully arose, while now grouped
around the throne stood the heralds
and pursuivants of the lists. In her
hand Louise held the gift. covered with
a silver veil, an end Of which was car
ried by each Of the maids.
Fair lady Of the tournament" said
the king. this gallant knight is Bon
Vouloir, whom you have even heard
proclaimed the victor of the day"
Approach. Bon Vouloir." command.
ed the queen of love-
The maids uncovered the gift. the
customary chaplet Of beaten gold. and
as the free baron bowed his head the
princess with firm hand fulfilled the
functions of her Office. Rising, Bon
Vouloir. amid the ordinations of the
court claimed the privilege that went
with the bauble. A moment he looked
at the princess; she seemed to bend
beneath his regard: then, leaning for
ward, deliberately rather than ardent
~ he touched her cheek with his lips.
Those who watched the queen of love
closely observed her face become paler
ana her form tremble. but in n moment
she was again mistress of herself, her
features prouder and colder than be.
fore.
rs 1t your pleasure to open the fes-
tivities, sireT murnured the favorite
ana without further words Francis
acquiesced. proffering his arm to his
companion.
Masque, costume ball, ballet, it was
all one to the king and the court who
never wearied Of the diverting vagaries
Of the dance. Now, studying that pan.
tomimic group OF Inerrymakers, in the
rhythmical expression of action and
movement could almost he read the in
husnce and relative positions Of the
fair jewellers.
There, I've danced enoughw said q
painting voice, and Jacqueline, breath
less. paused before the dukes fool
who stood motionless spectator of the
revelry. In his rich costume OF blue
and white the figure OF the foreign
Jester presented fair and striking
appearance. but his face, proud and
composed, was wanting in that spirit
which animated the features of his fel
lows in motley.
zone more turn. fair Jacqueline?'
suggested Marot, her partner In the
dance.
mot one" she answered.
us that q disnissal?" he asked
lightly.
otis for you to determine" retortsd
the maid.
"Modesty forbids I should interpret
1t to my DESIRES" he returned. laugh
ing, 40 he disappeared.
Tall seeming straighter than usual
upon each cheek festal rose. she stood
before the dukes PLEASANT. inscrutable
% was her fashion. the scarf about hel
shoulders just stirring from the enecta
Of the dance and her lips partad to heI
hurried hrea thing