Joan of the Sword Hand

the Princess Helene. The leader was a slender youth of middle height, the accuracy of whose form gave evidence of much agility. He was dark-skinned, of an olive comp

structions. None of those who followed Dessauer had ever before set eyes upon this youth, who came with fresh despatches, and, in conseq

rst words made

for the time being in the city of Thorn, where they build a new palace for themselves. I was brought from Hamburg to be one of the master-builders. I have

ce, the sheaf of papers so carefully enwra

," he said; "I shall peruse these at my leisure, and,

t his side, modestly wa

asked Dessauer, so that

ss; "my father is a Hamburg merchant, trading to the Spanish ports for oil and w

," said the Ambassador, smiling shrewdly. "So, against you

ung ma

ood father could deny me nothi

er under his breath; "no,

ue in the utmost distance. Then, like a tall ship at sea, it sank altogether out of sight. And still they rode on through the marshy hollows, round innumerable

had invariably fallen through. But there had come to Joan's father, Henry called the Lion, and the late Prince Michael of Courtland a better thought. One had a daughter, the other a son. Neither was burdened with any law of succession, Salic or other. They held their domains by the free tenure of the sword. They could leave

full Diet, and now it wanted only that the Duchess Joan of Hohenstein should be of age, in order

t the private character of the persons principally affec

rock whereon the fortress-palace was built, along a windy, irregular ridge. Innumerable crow-stepped gables were set at right angles to the street. The towers of the minster rose aga

s navigable for any craft of the time, and already it threatened to equal if not to outstrip in import

er, while the adhesion of Kernsberg, and the drafting of the Duchess's hardy fighting m

ng and purposes so politic should be

uch whims that make t

ellers and conduct them with honour to the seats reserved for them. The Ambassador and High Councillor of Plassenburg must be received with all observance.

r and jousted unknown, for that time being the Ambassador should accept other escort and excuse him com

y in puffs) more languidly and luxuriously unfolded themselves, as the Black Eagle on its ground of white everywhere took the air. All over the city a gal

deserted. The Courtlanders surrounded the great oval space of the lists in clustered myriads, and their eyes were bent inwards. It was the crisis of the great mêlée. Scarcely an eye in all that assembly was turned towards the strangers, who

charged and recharged. Those who had been unhorsed drew their swords and attacked with fu

ed. The shouts of the people rang in the ears of the ambassador of Plassenburg and his secretary, as they

mêlée with interest. "We have come in time to see the

uilt men, knights of the landward provinces, and their horses, great solid-boned Saxon chargers, had

lumes showed that they had succumbed in the charge to superior weight of metal. For, so soon as a knight yielded, his steed became the property of his victorious foe, and he himsel

nd the boldest opponent thought it politic to turn aside out of his path. Set upon by more than a score of riders, he still managed to evade them, and even when all his side had submitted and he alone re

lances struck him on the shield, on the breastplate, on the vizor bars of his helmet, and he fell heavily to the earth. Nevertheless, scarcely had he touched the ground when he was again on his

These were the exclamations which came from all parts of t

my hand also!" said the young architect, Master Johan

man's side, instead of fighting by that of a young one," gro

the reigning Prince, rose in her place and threw dow

o has fought so well against so many. Let the white knight come hither-though he be of the losing side. His is

their opponents should be selected for honour. But there was no appeal from the decision of t

ontented with their general victory, w

something in a low voice, unheard by

ust unhelm, that all may see the f

fair-haired head was revealed, the features clearly chiselled and

ied Margaret of Cour

. Clearly she had wished for some other to receive the honour, and t

e, surging impetuously about the barriers. "Glory to

ver. His face had paled even under its dusky tan. His lips quivered. He straightened himself up as brave and generous

ont, in a voice hoarse and bro

e's Councillor, Leopold von D

imself favours the drunkard and the madcap. Only wise men suffer