Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/254

 fair sex, to whom he always had something agreeable to say; the Empress herself took a pleasure in his conversation. In the way of giving novelty and piquancy to those Court festivals, that are so apt to become insipid from their uniformity, his resources of fancy were inexhaustible. Whenever the bad weather kept the Court within doors, or the ill-humour of the Emperor banished the courtiers from the royal presence, Count Ulric’s gaiety and inventive powers were called into requisition, always with entire success, to chase away dull care.

Though constantly in the society of the ladies, Ulric, till now, had escaped the arrows of Cupid. Passing gallantries had, of course, formed the amusement of many an hour, but as to serious passion, he knew not what it meant. Like the proud Lucretia, he wished to enslave the hearts of others, but himself to remain free. Chance haying brought together two persons so worthy and so qualified to enter the lists with each other, it was not long ere the contest commenced.

Lucretia was fully determined to make a conquest of the Count; and as he had the reputation of being the most inconstant lover in the whole Court, she felt it was necessary for her purpose to set about the business in a very different way from that which had been adopted towards her other admirers, whom she had been wont to change just as she did her clothes;