ye, and powerful frame
did not disappoint the expectations founded upon the fame of one equally
subtle in council and redoubted in war.

The royal host and the princely guest made their way where Elizabeth,
blazing in jewels and cloth-of-gold, shone royally, begirt by the ladies
of her brilliant court. At her right hand stood her mother, at her left,
the Princess Margaret.

"I present to you, my Elizabeth," said Edward, "a princely gentleman, to
whom we nevertheless wish all ill-fortune,--for we cannot desire that he
may subdue our knights, and we would fain hope that he may be conquered
by our ladies."

"The last hope is already fulfilled," said the count, gallantly, as
on his knee he kissed the fair hand extended to him. Then rising, and
gazing full and even boldly upon the young Princess Margaret, he added,
"I have seen too often the picture of the Lady Margaret not to be aware
that I stand in that illustrious presence."

"Her picture! Sir Count," said the queen; "we knew not that it had been
ever limned."

"Pardon me, it was done by stealth."

"And where have you seen it?"

"Worn at the heart of my brother the Count of Charolois!" answered De la
Roche, in a whispered tone.

Margaret blushed with evident pride and delight; and the wily envoy,
leaving the impression his words had made to take their due effect,
addressed himself, with all the gay vivacity he possessed, to the fair
queen and her haughty mother.

After a brief time spent in this complimentary converse, the count then
adjourned to inspect the menagerie, of which the king was very proud.
Edward, offering his hand to his queen, led the way, and the Duchess of
Bedford, directing the count to Margaret by a shrewd and silent glance
of her eye, so far smothered her dislike to Clarence as to ask his
highness to attend herself.

"Ah, lady," whispered the count, as the procession moved along, "what
thrones would not Charolois resign for the hand that his unworthy envoy
is allowed to touch!"

"Sir," said Margaret, demurely looking down, "the Count of Charolois is
a lord who, if report be true, makes war his only mistress."

"Because the only loving mistress his great heart could serve is denied
to his love! Ah, poor lord and brother, what new reasons for eternal war
to Burgundy, when France, not only his foe, becomes his rival!"

Margaret sighed, and the count continued till by degrees he warmed
the royal maiden from her reserve; and his eye grew b