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132 air; and, emerging from the middle avenue, came a gallant company, to borrow a phrase from those old romances whose picturesque descriptions the present actors were emulating. Two stately elms formed a natural arch, from beneath whose waving boughs swept the band belonging to the King.

Francesca marked at the first glance that their colours were white and scarlet; and then she noted that Marie Mancini wore a dress of white damask, looped up and garnished with scarlet ribands. "The embroidery on the gloves," thought she, "was no chance selection."

The gay procession advanced. First came fourteen pages, wearing fanciful costumes of silver tissue and scarlet; they bore the long lances, and the devices of the knights who followed them. Then came six trumpeters, blowing a brave challenge, each note swelling more proudly than its predecessor. Then came the squire, who marshalled the King's own pages, twelve in number, the last two of whom carried the royal lance, and the royal scutcheon, on which was emblazoned a rising sun, with the motto— Next rode the camp marshal, unmasked, and in