Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/82

58 to speak of comfort, but he could not utter a word; so, with a trembling hand, he unloosed the bracelet the king had given him, and laid before her. She took up the token, kissed it, and put it to her heart; and, having let fall a tear upon it, shook her head mournfully, and put it from whence she had taken it; beckoning the page to come and return it to the knight. He was so overcome with her sorrow, that his eyes grew moist, and he left the hall. As soon as he was gone, again she looked upon his empty seat, and went weeping to her room.

When Claudius had thought upon this, he saw that the lady was in love with him; and, whatever mystery this might be, he was determined to face and conquer it, or suffer in the attempt; for without her he could not live. So he returned presently to the hall, determined to speak to her, but found her gone. He went to the keeper of the gate, and asked if the lady who had just gone was married? The man replied, "No;" at which the heart of Claudius expanded with joy; and he inquired further of her estate and her name. The man answered, "I suppose you mean the lady Gertrude, who went into England, and has just returned, afflicted with lameness." Claudius shifted, as if he had been hit a blow: he saw, at once, the