Joan of the Sword Hand

done for years. Part of his scheme for these northern provinces of his fatherland consisted in gradual substitution of a

es which help or mar the lives of men and women, when a sudden sense of shock, a numbness spreading upwards through his limbs, the rising of rheum to his eyes, and a humming in his ears, announced the approach o

anket for all covering, on the floor of the antechamber in Dessauer's lodging. In a moment, therefore, he presented himself at the door completely dres

ding at the salute as if it had been the

It will be three days before I can stir. Yet must these papers be put in the hands of the Prince early this morning. Ah, there is my l

winge of pain caught him.

ot yet distempered by thought and love, by old age and the eating of many suppers-rap louder, for I must see him fo

he door of the architect-secretary, he

pital city of the Princes of Courtland. His many days' journey had not been in vain. Almost in the first moment he had seen the noble youthful Prince and his sister, and he was prepared to like them both. Life held more than the preparation of pla

he face of things) to perceive. Nevertheless, he stood and watched the east. It was five of a c

rse-tending and the milking of kine, were already beginning to outrival the waning stars. Orion, with his guardian four set wide about him, tingled against the face of the east, and the electric lamp of Sirius burnt blue above the horizon.

s. The young man was leaning out of the window and did not hear. The ex-man-at-arms rapped lou

voice which seemed at once sweeter and more commanding than even the

y is taken suddenly ill

d the door, and in a few second

with his hand laid tenderly on the forehead of his

after the sooner you return to Kernsberg the better. Remember th

papers and went out. Dessauer took a com

pose young wits you must do it through the heart,

ng the door by which the secretary had gone forth. "If I be not mis

rs had thinned out. Even the moon was now no brighter than so much grey ash. But the east had grown red and burned a glorious arch of cool brightness, with all its cloud edges teased loosely int

ll see the Pr

so well that he looked no more than a well-grown, clean-limbed stripling of twenty. A plain sword in a scabbard of black leather was belted to his side, and he carried his papers in his hand sealed with seals and wrapped carefully a

to each other and crowded the balconies to look down upon him. But through the busy morning tumult of the s

ilion he intimated his desire to t

?" said the o

glad heart, "there is but one-he who w

are you who dares blurt out on the steps of the palace of Courtland that which

Ambassador of Plassenburg,

that you could be right easily broken on the wheel. So have a care of th

easy familiarity of an elder, who has it in his power to do a kindness to a younger. Instinctively Johann slipped aside his s

burg so mightily particular that he cannot hav

with dignity, "to have men's hands upon my

a huge earth-shaking

by the fashion of your countenance, that the hands of ladies are not so unwelcome. Ha! you blush! Here, Paul Strelitz, come

e guard-room, stretching himself and yawni

Princess Margaret saw him yesterday, too. Does he go to visit her so early this morning? He loses no time, i' faith! But he had better k

ohann's shoulder, being of that mighty faction which cannot origi

ot long at the longest. He had not thought of hav

here it ought to be-on your sword handle. For in that case my hand will also be on mine, and

y meet, and kiss each other on either cheek at parting? How then, so might

he hotness of his indignation, "I would have you know

d the Bor-Russian

"I would we had him at our table of mess. What would our commander say to that? How h

right forenoon sun was now beating, and a lady of tall figure and a head all a-ripple with sunny, golden curls d

st officer. "Stand to it, Paul. Be a

bout for some one to help her to descend. She observed

e said, beckoning

ur hand!" s

ly, and the Princess plumped

to alight in Plassenburg?" queried the Princess.

helped in my life," said

re are many ladies in Plassenburg, and I doubt not they

tary shoo

ave never been so remarked by an

te, turned his head the least fraction of a

at! I would make my fortune in a trice," he muttered. "

hbishop-a divine liar," muttered

ing her eyes off the young man's face, "you will

myself," said th

know many that could have bettered that speech without stressing themselves. Yet, after all,

a suit of black velvet with yellow points and narrow braidings also of yellow, a broad golden sash girt his waist, his face was handsome, and his mustachios long, fierce, and curling. His eye glittered like that of a snake, wit

o unfortunate as to be late in my attendance upon you. The Prince sent for me at the critical mom

exactly, she turned her head a little back over her

already requested this gentleman to esco

and even confidingly towards the sec

a moment with an expression on his f

ung to and they disappeared. Then he tur

the pair till th

lout in black, that looks like

sire to put his information in another form. He did not love this imperious cavalier; he was a

rose-garden; I may have something further to say to the most honourable the secretary of the embassy of Pl

cretary sparrow may be dainty and kiss only ladies, but this Prince of Musc

"either you or I would have a better chance, unless our

er, chuckling. "I wish I were on guard in the rose-garden to see the me