Page:Libussa, Duchess of Bohemia; also, The Man Without a Name.djvu/92

76 arose the habit of saying, when speaking of a rejected suitor, “he has got the basket from his lady love,”—a phrase still in use throughout Germany.

When everything was ready for the marriage and installation, both ceremonies were performed with great pomp. The people of Bohemia had now a duke, and Libussa a husband, according to the wishes of their hearts; and what was rather surprising in the case was, its being the result of chicanery, which is not always the best mediator. If, however, one of the two parties was deceived, it certainly was not the wise Libussa, but rather the people; which indeed is generally the case.

The Bohemian empire had now a duke in name; but the government was, as before, in a female hand. Primislas was indeed a true sample of an obedient and submissive husband, who neither disputed the domestic authority nor the public policy with his duchess. His views and wishes sympathized as completely with her’s as two well-tuned strings, one of which though untouched echoes spontaneously the sound emitted by the other. Neither did Libussa possess the proud and vain mind of certain ladies, who, considering themselves as acquisitions, and believ-