throne of England, which you appear, through some hallucination, to
consider a desirable possession. Take it, then; for, praise God! the
sword has found its sheath."

The King answered: "I do not ask you to reconsider your dismissal,
assuredly--Richard," he cried, a little shaken, "I perceive that until
your death you will win contempt and love from every person."

"Ay, for many years I have been the playmate of the world," said
Richard; "but to-day I wash my hands, and set about another and more
laudable business. I had dreamed certain dreams, indeed--but what had
I to do with all this strife between the devil and the tiger? Nay,
Glyndwyr will set up Mortimer against you now, and you two must fight
it out. I am no more his tool, and no more your enemy, my
cousin--Henry," he said with quickening voice, "there was a time when
we were boys and played together, and there was no hatred between us,
and I regret that time!"

"As God lives, I too regret that time!" the bluff King said. He stared
at Richard for a while wherein each understood. "Dear fool," he said,
"there is no man in all the world but hates me saving only you." Then
the proud King clapped spurs to his proud horse and rode away.

More lately Richard dismissed his wondering marauders. Now were only
he and Branwen left, alone and yet a little troubled, since either was
afraid of that oncoming moment when their eyes must meet.

So Richard laughed. "Praise God!" he wildly cried, "I am the greatest
fool unhanged!"

She answered: "I am the happier. I am the happiest of God's
creatures," Branwen said.

And Richard meditated. "Faith of a gentleman!" he declared; "but you
are nothing of the sort, and of this fact I happen to be quite
certain." Their lips met then and afterward their eyes; and either was
too glad for laughter.

THE END OF THE EIGHTH NOVEL

IX

The Story of the Navarrese

"_J'ay en mon cueur joyeusement
Escript, afin que ne l'oublie,
Ce refrain qu'ayme chierement,
C'estes vous de qui suis amye._"

THE NINTH NOVEL.--JEHANE OF NAVARRE, AFTER A SHREWD
WITHSTANDING OF ALL OTHER ASSAULTS, IS IN A LONG
DUEL WHEREIN TIME AND COMMON-SENSE ARE FLOUTED,
AND TWO KINGDOMS SHAKEN, ALIKE DETHRONED AND
RECOMPENSED BY AN ENDURING LUNACY.

The Story of the Navarrese

In the year of grace 1386, upon the feast of Saint Bartholomew (thus
Nicolas begins), came to the Spanish coast Messire Peyre de Lesnerac,