on the office of Queen of Love and Beauty by filling it, the
young girl's astonishment was great, as she had not for a moment thought
of herself as a candidate for the honor. Quickly recovering herself,
however, with the native courtesy of the high-born lady, agreeably to
the manners of the day, she raised the cavalier, and taking off her blue
sash, fastened it round his waist with her own hands, begging him to
wear it as her knight, and ever to prove himself faithful and brave.

Thus ended the first day's tournament. Meanwhile, the burghers and
yeomanry joined in the general festivity, having wrestling-matches,
quoits and bowls, and various other rural games. A purse of gold was
conferred upon the victors, and barrels of beer were continually running
for the benefit of the public. The noble guests were invited to a
banquet at the palace, which was to be repeated daily during the
continuance of the games. The Knight of the Blooming Rose was, of
course, a prominent person in these gay assemblies, and his noble person
and courtly bearing greatly excited the admiration of the ladies of
Clotilda's circle. But while courteous to all, his marked deference to
the gentle Edith plainly showed that he was faithful to his allegiance.
It was a new experience to the timid girl to be thus singled out in
preference to the more brilliant beauties around her; and while it
raised her in the estimation of others, it gave a decision and
self-possession to her character in which it was previously deficient.
And the intimate intercourse which she thus enjoyed with a kindred mind
of high cultivation, earnest thought, and large acquaintance with
mankind, gave a stimulus to her mental powers which only human sympathy
can impart. The Emperor himself was greatly pleased with the gallant
knight, and frequently honored him with confidential conversation. And
yet no one could discover who he was. Free and unreserved in his
communications with those around him, when this subject was approached,
his lips were sealed in silence, and a certain dignity of manner warned
off all intrusion. Efforts were made to arrive at the truth through the
medium of his page; but the noble-looking Moor was a mute, and would
only hold intercourse with those around him by gestures and expressive
looks.

In the succeeding days of the tournament, various games of knightly
skill and prowess engaged the attention of the competitors for honors,
and in all of them did our caval