Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-02

met an equally lofty spirit. l "The constable of Dubrois! You his daughter!!" he repeated "rhe consta. ble was proud, naughty man: yea overproud, in fact. You know why he fled to meY'
 "Yes, sire,' she answered. flushing resentfully.
 .To persuade me to espouse his cause against the king. Many times have my good brother Francis and myself gone to war; he added refectively and not without a certain complacency ''but then were we engaged in troubles in the east, to keep the Mohammedans from overrunning our Christian land How could I oblige the constable by fighting the heathen and the believers in the gospel in one breath? Your fa- ther-for I am ready to believe him such by the evidence of your face and especially your eyes-accused me of lit tie faith. But I had either to desert him or Europe. His cause was lost. Twas the fortune of war. The fate of great families becomes subservient to that of nations t He spoke as if rather presenting the case to himself than to her, as though he sought to analyze his own action through the medium of time and the trend of larger events. Attentively she watched him with deep, serious eyes. and, catching her almost accus- ing look and knowing how perhaps he shuffied with history, his brow grew darker. He was visibly annoyed at her, his own conscience, he knew not what. q did not complain, your majesty" she said proudly.
 Her answer surprised him. Again he observed her attire, the pallor of her face, the dark circles beneath her eyes. Grimly he marked these signs of pow erty, those marks of the weariness and privations she had undergone.
 Was it not your intention to seek me, to beg an asylum, perhapsT he went on, less sternly. Not to beg. your majesty; to ask, yes. But now-not thatv'
 "Vrai Dieu!' muttered Charles. There is the father over again! It is strange this maiden, clothed almost in rags, should claim such illustrious parentage," he continued to himself as he walked restlessly to and fro. "It is more strange I ask no other proofs than herself-the evidence of my eyes! Where did you come from" he added aloud, pausing before her-'the court of Francis?'
 "Yes, sire"
 "Why did you leave the king?"
 'Why-because"- Her hands clinch- ed. The gray eyes continued to probe her. Because I hate him!'
 The emperor's face relaxed. A gleam of humor shone in his glance. Hate him whom so many of your sex love" he replied.
 Through her tresses he saw her face turn red. Passionately she arose. with your majesty's permission I will go."
 GO" he said abruptly. Where can you go? You are somewhat quick of temper, like Have l refused you aught? I could not serve your fa- ther," he continued, taking her hand and not urgently detaining her, "but I may welcome his daughter, though ne- cessity, the ruler of kings. made mo helpless in his behalf"
 As fin flash her resentment faded. Half -paternally. half severely, be sur veyed her. '-'' ''''.' =
 Sit down here," he went on. indi- eating low stool "You are weary and need refreshment."
 Silently she obeyed. and the emperor, touching bell. gave low command to the servitor who appeared. In few moments meat. fruits and wine were set before her. and Charles, with i'm passive face, listened to her story, or as much as she cared to relate. When she had finished, for some time he of fered no comment
 "A strange tale," he said finally. ''But what will our nobles do when Ia. dies take mere fools for knight er- rnutsi'
 "He is no mere fool" she spoke up impulsively.
 The emperor shot quick looS at her from beneath his lowering brows.
 "I mean-he is brave-and has pro. tected me many times" she explained in some confusion
 And so you. knowing what you were, remained with poor jester. fl HIM n GINIIlIIT T