Page:The Lady's Book Vol. V.pdf/38

 36 BERTHA.

a little more prominent than is necessary to the line of beauty. His dress, which did not bespeak him to be raised many steps above the common rank of the people, consisted of the ordinary frock or tunic, descending to the knees, made of blue cloth and ornamented with a silk border; above this, on account of the season, was a tight vest of otter skin, with the fur on; and over all a plain cloak, not of the sweeping length worn by the nobility, but short and homely. His legs were covered with a sort of long hose, or pantaloon, fastened crosswise with parti coloured garters. His pace was grave and firm, with nothing either of meanness or pretence; and when he turned his head at the noise made by the horseman, there seemed to be so much good nature, approaching to joviality, in his countenance, that the stranger, checking his steed, and resting his lance upon the ground, hailed him in the manner of one who would willingly expend a little while in conversation.

“I pray thee, fair sir, “said he, “if thou be not hindered for time, tell me whether the Lady Bertha be as beautiful as report speaks her."

“What is that to thee? “counter questioned the forester, sturdily, turning a pair of large bright eyes and a long aquiline nose towards the querist.

“I belong to the embassy of the Empress Irene, * explained the stranger, “who seeks the French princess in marriage for her son Cohstantine; and I would fain know whether this Bertha of thine is likely to prove a jewel worthy of being set in the crown of the East. "

The cavalier of the short cloak turned a look, half of surprise, half of ridicule, upon the Greek. He appeared to be about to make some severe reply; but, checking the sarcasm which rose to his lips, he turned away with a slight, but courteous obeisance.

“Patience, patience, “said he, “thou wilt see anon, “and he walked leisurely away, without turning his head. The young cavalier, with flashing eyes and rising colour, debated for a moment whether he should not follow him; but looking for a longer space of time, not unadmiringly, at the lofty figure and slow and stately step of the stranger, he pursued his journey.

He had not ridden far before he fell in with a second pedestrian, a young man about his own age. His dress and accoutrements, which proclaimed him to be a sportsman, consisted of a doublet trimmed with grey fur, a short green coat fastened with a leathern girdle, tight buskins, couteau de chasse, bow and arrows, and ivory horn, suspended from his neck by a chain of polished steel. He was tall and well formed, and showed the bearing of a cavalier of birth and distinction.

“Ho! fair sir, “cried the Greek stranger, “tell me, I pray thee, if thou be not hindered for time, whether the Lady Bertha be as fair as men say she is. "

“Saint Maurice! “exclaimed the sportsman, jumping suddenly round, “what is that to thee? “and, with a look of menace, mingled with curiosity, he strode up to the inquirer.

“Nay, said the latter, “I did but ask the question as one attached to the mission of the Empress Irene, who sends to demand the Princess for her son Constantine; and I am right curious to know whether this Bertha of France is likely to prove a jewel worthy to be set in the crown of the East. "

“Know then, stranger, “said the sportsman, with imperious heat, “that the Princess Bertha set in the crown of the East, would show like a rich diamond mounted in worthless lead! "

“It may be so, “replied the Greek, good humouredly the comparison is difficult, I own, between lifeless metals and lovely ladies. "

“And know farther, “continued the other, that the she wolf of Greece must match her cubs lower than in the house of lordly France! "

“Say'st thou? “cried the stranger: “on that quarrel I am for thee. The house of France is only too much honoured by the condescension of the Empress. Sir Frenchman, thou liest! “and leaping from his horse, he threw away his lance, and drew his sword. The sportsman, on his part, was not less nimble in disencumbering himself of his bow and arrows; and having substituted a more warlike blade for the couteau de chasse, the two cavaliers went to it with equal dexterity and good will. Their swords, however, had not clanked many times together, when both the weapons were beaten down at one stroke by a third party.

“What! tilting within the purlieus of the palace? “said the gigantic cavalier of the short cloak, whirling round the combatants a branch of a tree weighty enough to crush the best helmneted head that ever appeared in field. “Here is goodly discipline! By the holy Saint Maurice! if the King comes to know of this contempt of the royal authority, I would not give a grain of sand a piece for your lives! -What, Angilbert, art thou mad? This stranger may have some slight excuse in his ignorance of our localities and customs; but thou, thou knowest well whom thou beardest! “Angilbert put up his sword, promptly yet sulkily.

“As for the customs and localities thou talkest of, “said the Greek, in a towering passion, “I neither know nor care; I did but say"

“Say nothing, “interrupted Angilbert, “if thou art wise: what is said is past, and for the love I bear to arms, I would not see thee come to mischief through other means than cold steel and fair fighting. "

“As for this house of France, “shouted the choleric Greek, “I say again— "

“Bah, bah! hold thy tongue, man, “said Angilbert, “and return to thy post if one is trusted to so empty a head. "

“Hark thee, Sir Frenchman, “demanded the stranger, in a calmer tone; “do the customs of France in all cases thus tie the tongues of its visitors? Why may I not speak? Answer me

--- Who usurped the throne after the death of her husband Leo.