a style just then new, even in
France. His eyes were a deep blue, and his complexion, though browned
by exposure, held a tinge of beauty which the sun could not mar and a
girl might envy. He wore neither mustachio nor beard, as men now
disfigure their faces--since Francis I took a scar on his chin--and
his clear cut profile, dilating nostrils and mobile, though firm-set
mouth, gave pleasing assurance of tenderness, gentleness, daring and
strength.

I was standing near the queen, who called to me: "Who is the handsome
stranger that so gracefully asked our license to run?"

"I can not inform your majesty. I never saw him until now. He is the
goodliest knight I have ever beheld."

"That he is," replied the queen; "and we should like very much to know
him. Should we not, ladies?" There was a chorus of assent from a dozen
voices, and I promised, after the running, to learn all about him and
report.

It was at this point the heralds cried their "Oyes," and our
conversation was at an end for the time.

As to height, the stranger was full six feet, with ample evidence of
muscle, though no great bulk. He was grace itself, and the king
afterwards said he had never seen such strength of arm and skill in
the use of the lance--a sure harbinger of favor, if not of fortune,
for the possessor.

After the jousting the Princess Mary asked me if I could yet give her
an account of the stranger; and as I could not, she went to the king.

I heard her inquire:

"Who was your companion, brother?"

"That is a secret, sister. You will find out soon enough, and will be
falling in love with him, no doubt. I have always looked upon you as
full of trouble for me in that respect; you will not so much as glance
at anyone I choose for you, but I suppose would be ready enough with
your smiles for some one I should not want."

"Is the stranger one whom you would not want?" asked Mary, with a
dimpling smile and a flash of her brown eyes.

"He most certainly is," returned the king.

"Then I will fall in love with him at once. In fact, I don't know but
I have already."

"Oh, I have no doubt of that; if I wanted him, he might be Apollo
himself and you would have none of him." King Henry had been compelled
to refuse several very advantageous alliances because this fair,
coaxing, self-willed sister would not consent to be a part of the
moving consideration.

"But can you not tell me who he is, and what his degree?" went on Mary
in a banter