Page:Libussa, Duchess of Bohemia; also, The Man Without a Name.djvu/87

Rh ation, with the exception of a tribute of a pint of filberts; which privilege they enjoyed till very lately.

Although the glorious horse, which carried the bridegroom to his mistress, was proceeding with the swiftness of the wind, Primislas still spurred it sometimes on, so ardent was his desire to see again Libussa, whose form had been seven years since imprinted on his memory. He only thought of the myrtle-crown, which in the estimation of lovers far surpasses a royal one; and if grandeur and love had been placed in opposite scales, Miss Libussa would have far outweighed the Bohemian empire, which would have been thrown high up, like a light gold piece in the balance of a money-changer.

The sun was nearly setting when the new prince made his triumphal entry in Vizigrade. Libussa was in her garden, gathering plums into a basket, when the arrival of her spouse was announced to her. She met him bashfully, surrounded by all the young ladies of her court; received him as a bridegroom sent to her by the gods; and concealed the choice of her heart under a seeming resignation to the will of the invisible powers.

The eyes of every one at court were directed