Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/81

Rh victory, and retire; and well her heart could interpret the cause. So fond was she in her affection, that angels could not have persuaded her to stay from the court that day. She put on her most plain attire and went. When Claudius rode in, gallant in hope, and saw his lady there, he shouted; and holding despair at bay (seeing nothing but her beauty), couched his lance, and bore down all before him. So great was his prowess that the king bade him come to him. He knelt before him; and, in the face of all present, the king took an armlet from the queen's arm, and braced it over his mail upon his wrist, and made him her champion.

He again took his seat opposite Gertrude, and besought at her eyes that he might be encouraged to speak, and so advance upon his desire; but she was more sorrowful than ever, and her countenance was so sad and mournful that it defied hope. He dreaded to speak to her, feeling his tongue to be wordless; and, fearing to ask his despair, he gazed alternately at her and the ground, in silent sorrow. She, seeing him thus pale and affected, fell into an agony; and while she railed inwardly at her own cruelty, the tears followed one another unnoticed to her breast; but he saw them, and determined to do something. He again tried