Joan of the Sword Hand

viously worn over her dress of forester, and was again the sedate lady of the castle, ready to lead the

rded man with a skull cap of black velvet upon his head. His dress

ador?" she cried gail

and that of the other whom your

aid the Duchess, w

ind," said Dessauer; "and never did

y it) 'unwomanly-bold-not like my lady the Princess of Plassenburg

y fair women, many sweet princesses, each perfect to their lovers, some of them even

th that flash of the eye, I shall have to bethink me wh

ht, instead of a penniless old baron. Why, then, I would not come o

he only man I have ever met who can speak of love and yet be tolerable. It is a pity that my f

tined husband a sudden flashing though

to Courtland after leaving our poor eagle's

uty and frankness in women. "It is true that I have a mission from

lasped her hands an

the world but yourself," she said,

dor of another power to the court and palace of the man you are to marry-that

d care not. I am no puling maid that waits till she is authorised by a conclave of the empire before she dares wipe her nose when she hath a cold

e hath been a rough blade in his time, but Karl the Miller's son m

determination, "then it is settled.

me tell you that the thing is plainly foolish. Hardly under the escort of the Empress herself would it be possible for you to visit, without scandal, the court of the Prince o

on. "Make your count with that, friend of mine, whether you are shocked or no. It is the penalty a res

hands in horror that wa

it too often. But if I were your great-great-grandfather the thing you propose is st

Joan, with her pretty nose in the air. "Let them say! They will not say anything that I care the sna

u frankly. You are to me more than a daughter, though I am but a poor baron of Plassenburg and the faithful servant of the Princess Helene. It is for your own sake that I say you c

hat you saw me at the fight in the courtyard out there. If you will not have the Du

uer s

not a lady in the German land, from Bohe

am a lady; let him counter it who durst. And I cannot broider altar-cloths and I will not try-but I can shoot with any man at the flying mark. She must have a care for her honour, which (poor, feckless wretch!) will be smirched if she speaks to any as a man speaks

esence of his enemies an hour before. Dessauer stood wavering. With quick tact she altered her tone, and with a soft accent and in a melting voice she added, "Ah, let

silent, weighing diff

trappings and furbelows. And if you will not take me, by my faith! I will send Werner there, whom you saw fight

oman. Well, I am not responsible for aught of this, save for my own weak

, yes, you will like it very much. Fo