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the candelabras with which the room was furnished, attendants stood round the table with great wax candles in their hands; and the tassled table-cloth was laid double, and folded with the nicest regularity. The drinking cups were of gold and silver, and some of them enriched with precious stones.
“And now, “said the king, rising“now that we have finished the more important business of the day, let us make the tour of our palace, as our brother, the Caliph Aaron of Persia, † does of his city, to ascertain that proper order is kept throughout. The Count of the Palace will have the goodness to remit to my hearing such cases as have stood over from intricacy or other causes, from the forenoon; and all visitors on pressing business may be informed that in half an hour I shall be in bed and ready to receive them. “Charles then led the way from the banquet-hall, followed at a distance by some of his officers, and more closely by the Greek stranger, with whom he continued to converse familiarly on subjects connected with the affairs of the East, and the adventures of his journey.
They thus visited every station of importance in the building, challenged the sentinels, and looked out into the appearance of the night; and the stranger, at every step, had fresh cause to wonder, not only at the extent and appointments of the place, but at the admirable discipline established throughout. The king was at length about to retire into his own apartment, and had already bid good-night to his companion, when suddenly recollecting something—
“A word with thee, “said he; “let us walk this way alone, and make the tour of the inner court, where the moon seems to shine so bravely on these marble piazzas, that will look, I'll warrant thee, like columns of ice rising from their pavement of snow. What! thou hast not all the curiosity to thyself; I, too, am impatient to ask questions, and I will pray thee to give me some tidings of this Constantine of Greece, who sends so far for my daughter. "
When they had reached the inner court, they stood still for a moment to admire the regularity of the buildings and the extreme whiteness and smoothness of the snow which covered the pavement.
“And now of this Constantine, “resumed the king; “what manner of man is he? "
“Why, “replied the stranger, “he is a man' faith he is the son of an Empress, and that is saying much as the world goes. "
“Thou art in the right, “returned the king; “but is he brave in action, agreeable in person, and honourable in purpose? "
“He is as brave as his sword, which cares not a jot about the quarrel, so there be but fighting; his person offends not, when his holiday suit is on; and some say he is more honest than wise. ““Truly, a flattering portrait! My daughter will be but too happy in such a husband. That * “Candida præponant niveis mantilia villis. “Nigellus de rebus gestis Ludovici Pii.
† Haroun Alraschid.
is Bertha's apartment across the court-that with the open window-a dangerous neglect, by the way, in weather like this; do thou stand here while I go and shut it; and if she be awake, thou wilt be able to tell Constantine how sweetly the voice of his mistress sounds at night. "
“Stay, sir! “said the Greek, seizing hold of the king's mantle. “Hold! hush! "
“How! What! Ha! It was a voice-it was, in faith! Think'st thou? ' Tis she herself. She is awake and waits for me; that is my customstand aside. "
“Hush! Look! "
“That is a shadow on the wall, indeed! She is up; she has not gone to bed. Thou art right -it is a shadow. "
“Two-two! "
“Ay! Say'st thou? Right again; stand aside -it must be her woman. "
“A man's, by this light! "
“St. Maurice! “muttered the king, grinding his teeth; and as his hand sought the hilt of his sword, the trappings rattled with his agitation.
The two shadows disappeared from the inner wall; and as the next instant the door opened, the Greek drew back the king, per force, into the shade of the piazza.
All was silent for some moments, that appeared ages to the witnesses; till at length a singular spectacle presented itself. The Princess Bertha appeared emerging from the doorway, faltering under the weight of her cousin Angilbert, whom she carried in her arms! Panting-totteringswaying to and fro under the unusual burthen, she advanced slowly and painfully across the court, till at length she succeeded in setting down her lover under the piazzas beside the astonished witnesses, where no tell-tale snow could receive the print of his feet. The king's sword flew like lightning from its scabbard, and without uttering a word he would have cleft the skull of Angilbert in twain, had not the Greek suddenly caught him in his arms.
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' Fly for thy life! “cried he, during the fierce but short struggle that ensued. “Away, if thou be'st a man! Hie thee-haste-vanish, in the name of the foul fiend! What, art not gone? Wilt not stir? wilt not budge? Oh, dolt-headed animal! -Most clement king; most just and merciful lord! hear before thou strikest! One moment-a space that might serve to wink in! Jesu-I can no more! There, go an thou wilt! go, with a fury to thee! I'd as lief hold a hungry lion! “And Charles, with a mighty effort, dashing his athletic opponent upon the pavement, sprang to his victim.
“Strike here! “cried Bertha, throwing herself suddenly between-and her father's sword, which he was unable wholly to check in its furious descent, would have drunk the blood of her shoulder but for a thick gold chain which intervened.
“Harlot! “exclaimed the king, in a voice hoarse with passion; “speak, ere thou diest! Tell me of my shame, that I may curse thee, ere I kill thee! "
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“I am no such name, “said the Princess,
