He sat upon
the dais in his banquet hall, his retainers gathered about him--a great
feast spread. In archaic English we are told that the board groaned
beneath the weight of golden trenchers and flagons. Minstrels played and
sang, while he displayed all his splendour."
"They do it yet," said Miss Vanderpoel, "in London and New York and
other places."
"The next day, attended by his followers, he took her with him to ride
over his lands. When she returned to her tower chamber she had learned
how powerful and great a chieftain he was. She 'laye softely' and was
attended by many maidens, but she had no entertainment but to look
out upon the great green court. There he arranged games and trials of
strength and skill, and she saw him bigger, stronger, and more splendid
than any other man. He did not even lift his eyes to her window. He also
sent her daily a rich gift."
"How long did this go on?"
"Three months. At the end of that time he commanded her presence again
in his banquet hall. He told her the gates were opened, the drawbridge
down and an escort waiting to take her back to her father's lands, if
she would."
"What did she do?"
"She looked at him long--and long. She turned proudly away--in the
sea-blue eyes were heavy and stormy tears, which seeing----"
"Ah, he saw them?" from Miss Vanderpoel.
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