h of something on her shoulder, made
her start: she turned as though waked from a dream by contact with a
serpent, and perceived her husband, magnificently dressed, carelessly
leaning against the back of her chair. For a long time past the prince
had not come to his wife in this familiar fashion, and to the queen the
pretence of affection and careless behaviour augured ill. Andre did not
appear to notice the look of hatred and terror that had escaped Joan in
spite of herself, and assuming the best expression of gentleness as that
his straight hard features could contrive to put on in such circumstances
as these, he smilingly asked--

"Why are you making this pretty cord, dear dutiful wife?"

"To hang you with, my lord," replied the queen, with a smile.

Andre shrugged his shoulders, seeing in the threat so incredibly rash
nothing more than a pleasantry in rather bad taste. But when he saw that
Joan resumed her work, he tried to renew the conversation.

"I admit," he said, in a perfectly calm voice, "that my question is quite
unnecessary: from your eagerness to finish this handsome piece of work, I
ought to suspect that it is destined for some fine knight of yours whom
you propose to send on a dangerous enterprise wearing your colours. If
so, my fair queen, I claim to receive my orders from your lips: appoint
the time and place for the trial, and I am sure beforehand of carrying
off a prize that I shall dispute with all your adorers."

"That is not so certain," said Joan, "if you are as valiant in war as in
love." And she cast on her husband a look at once seductive and
scornful, beneath which the young man blushed up to his eyes.

"I hope," said Andre, repressing his feelings, "I hope soon to give you
such proofs of my affection that you will never doubt it again."

"And what makes you fancy that, my lord?"

"I would tell you, if you would listen seriously."

"I am listening."

"Well, it is a dream I had last night that gives me such confidence in
the future."

"A dream! You surely ought to explain that."

"I dreamed that there was a grand fete in the town: an immense crowd
filled the streets like an overflowing torrent, and the heavens were
ringing with their shouts of joy; the gloomy granite facades were hidden
by hangings of silk and festoons of flowers; the churches were decorated
as though for some grand ceremony. I was riding side by side with you."
Joan made a haughty movement: "Forgive me, ma