Page:Edmund Dulac's picture-book for the French Red cross.djvu/124

AVCASSIN AND NICOLETTE take a maiden of high degree to wife, and think no more of Nicolette. So Aucassin went home to his chamber and lamented for his love. And at this hour the castle was suddenly assaulted by the army of Count Bougars de Valence. Count Garin de Biaucaire, again seeking that Aucassin should take arms to the defence of his heritage, came in and found him making moan for Nicolette. Hot words passed between them; but presently Aucassin covenanted with his father that, if he overcame the foe, he should be allowed to see Nicolette, if only for a moment.

So he rode forth into the fray. But so full was his mind of his love, that he dreamed instead of doing, and was taken prisoner and about to be slain. Then he aroused himself and struck down all around, and rode back home with Count Bougars de Valence as his captive. And when he claimed his father's promise, the Count Garin de Biaucaire not only forbade him any sight of Nicolette, but flung him into a dungeon till he should forgo the love of her.

So Aucassin lay bewailing in his dungeon; but Nicolette one night escaped, letting herself down by the window, wrapped in a silken cloak, and crept along through the streets of Biaucaire until she came to the tower where her lover was. And they had speech of each other; and she cut off her golden curls and cast them to Aucassin through a crevice. But when she told him that she must leave that land, he was greatly angered and forbade her. Then the sentinel on the tower, who was aware of Nicolette, took pity on her, warning her that the town-guard were even now seeking her with swords to slay her.

Nicolette sank into the shadow till the guard passed by; then she made her farewell to Aucassin, and with hardship let herself down the castle wall into the fosse, being assured that she would be burned by Count Garin if she still abode in Biaucaire. And she hid herself in the outskirts of the forest until next day at noon. There came some shepherd lads then, and ate bread on the fringe of the forest. By these Nicolette sent a secret message to Aucassin, which none but he might understand, and she built herself a little lodge of

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