Page:Legends of Rubezahl, and Other Tales (1845).djvu/265

 “such pitiful evasions only confirm me in my determination. I know how deeply your basilisk glances have infused the sweet poison of love into the hearts of my knights and nobles. You must now suffer the just penalty you have incurred, and yourself wear the chains wherewith hitherto it has been your sport to enslave your lovers, for I will not rest until I have provided you with a husband.”

When the humbled Lucretia found that the Empress was thoroughly in earnest, she did not venture to offer any further opposition, lest she should still more highly irritate her mistress. But she now had recourse to dissimulation. “Madam,” said she, “your will is my law; I submit to your commands. Your Majesty has left it to me to choose between the candidates; as they so equally possess my esteem, that I cannot give the one a preference over the other, will your Majesty permit me to propose to each of them a condition, I undertaking to accept for my husband the first who shall present himself, having fulfilled that condition; and, on the other hand, having your royal word that I shall not be compelled to wed either until the condition is performed.”

The Empress, softened by this apparent submissiveness on the part of the crafty Lucretia, consented to her request. Having passed her word, as desired, she smilingly asked: “Well, and now