however, to cause displeasure to
the King, who, fearing lest it should tend to thwart his plan of wedding
his son to a royal bride, determined to part the two, if by fair
means--well! if not, then by Blanchefleur's death; but the Queen, in
dread that her son might die of grief, pled with her lord to spare
Blanchefleur, saying: 'Sir! rather command Master Gaidon, under pretext
of failing health, to give up his charge. Thus shall occasion be made
for sending Fleur to school at Montorio, where my aunt is Duchess, and
among the many high-born maidens there assembled, haply he may find
another love.'

[Illustration]

To this plan the King consented, yet found not in it the help he hoped;
for, on hearing that he was to go to Montorio, leaving his Blanchefleur
at home to tend her mother, who, like Master Gaidon, was commanded to
feign herself sick, Fleur became so frantic with grief that, to calm his
transports, the King and Queen were fain to promise that, in two weeks'
time, Blanchefleur should follow him to Montorio.

Somewhat comforted by this promise, Fleur took a tender farewell of his
love, whom he fondly kissed and embraced in the presence of her mother
and his own father.

[Illustration]

King Fenis, though by no means best pleased with his son's deportment,
yet sent him nobly equipped and provided to Montorio, where, on arrival,
Fleur was warmly welcomed by Duke Toras, the Duchess, and their daughter
Sibylla, and, when recovered from the fatigue of travel, was by Sibylla
conducted to school, where many a fair and noble damsel was to be
seen. All was in vain: no matter what of beauty or of loveliness might
meet his eye or strike his ear, the thoughts of Fleur were ever and only
with his Blanchefleur, for whose sake he heaved many a sigh and dropped
many a tear against the day appointed for her coming; and when it came
and brought her not, because his parents trusted that she was now
forgotten, Fleur drooped and pined; unable, from heaviness of heart, to
eat, drink, or sleep; and when his chamberlain saw that Fleur was sick
he hasted back to tell King Fenis, who, calling for his Queen, took
counsel with her on the matter. 'What remedy there be for Fleur I know
not,' said the King, 'but this thing I know full well, that Blanchefleur
has cast a spell upon him, and by enchantment has bound him so fast in
love to her that he can look on none other than herself; so go, fetch me
Blanchefleur, that she may die and be fo