Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/201

184 Her way would be a way of mild and loving rule—(for Bertrand was thinking of her as a Queen) and all her subjects would be the better for obeying her. Then, he seemed to see her sitting on a carved throne, with her people about her, and giving commands; and he was there, not a sickly lad, but a strong knight, and he was going forth to fight for her—to make her enemies bow before her. In fact, poor, tired, worn-out Bertrand had dropped asleep!

When Mrs. Vaughn reached her little villa after the talk with the young heir of Montarbre, that morning, she called Ellie to bring her French reading-book.

"If you want to make friends with this boy, you must be able to say something to him," she said.

"But I don't believe I can learn enough French to talk to him in it to-morrow; do you, mother?" Ellie asked anxiously.

"Well, no, perhaps not, Ellie," her