Joan of the Sword Hand

little pavilion had been erected overhanging the water, and the leaves of the linden-trees rustled above. These last were still clamorous with the hum of bees, whose busy

ing heart that Joh

ice within, with s

s, the secretary suddenly found himself in

ook which lay on a shelf at his elbow. For a moment the secretary could not reconcile this monkish occupation with his idea of the galla

and looked at him with the reverence of the

upon the youth a regard full of dignity and condescension. The knees of Johan

o Dessauer. "I am acting as secretary to the Ambassador-in lieu of a better. These are the proposals concerning alliance between the realms proposed by our late master, the P

very disguise and to read the truth in the heart of the young architect-secretary. He took the papers f

er, as to the kindness and good-feeling of our present noble rulers. But where is the Ambassador? I had hoped to see High Councillor v

nswered, "I grieve to tell you, my lord, that the High Councillor von Dessauer is not able to leave his bed this morning. He caught a chill yesterday, either riding hither or a

's agitation, and liking him for it. "I am glad he keeps the art to make

d, "How found you your way hither? The corridors are both confu

l youth

r, the Princess Margaret, was good enough to di

his sister, "this is the way to the Princess's ap

the youth, whose blushes came and w

is ingenuousness is particularly charming in a

hought cross

at you came to us by wa

an which overspread the young man's face as the Prince con

e Duchess Joan?" he continued. "Is

ed the secretary. Suddenly he found himself plunged into dee

d, throwing back

tland," he said, "whither the lady is to come as a br

an errand of such moment before, having mostly spent my life among soldiers and ("he was on

en," smiled the Prince, "to proclaim such

"at least, as much as it is allowe

the Prince, "or play

n do

against the Duchess Joan. They say she has wonderful skill. Joan of t

ruthfully, "I have never fe

considerable surprise; "then you h

ess fence, but I have often

y," cried the Prince. "I do no

He would have given all the proceeds and emoluments of his office

were one of the army of admirers which, they say

with much earnestness and obvious sincerity; "I never said one s

argaret, "but doubtless you took great pleasure in teaching the

wards his sister. As he stooped to kiss her hand, Johann observed

ut, after all" (with a sigh), "that does not matter in a

about her brother's neck, and then as quickly releasing him, she turned to the secretary, who stood

e him, too," she said. "You must leave your dull Plassenburg an

n to Courtland," answered

smiling quietly; "but I do not think he admires her very greatly-an opinion he

I hear she is a forward minx, and at any rate she shall neve

er mine!" said the Prince. "But, indeed, you must not begin by misl

there is no reason in the world why, because you are all ready to fall down

she pouted her proud little lips and

youth, I have a fancy to hear him tell of the countries wherein he has sojourned. And, in addition, I have promised to show him the carp in the ponds. You

k to put away the papers which Dessauer's secretary had brought-"on the contrary

the dignity of your calling, my br

to guide, to advise, to rule, are of my profession, surely to speak of women, who

to the sense, "I also like things foreign. The noble

omed to his sister's whims, and, knowing how perfect

ou again before you leave, you must promise me to come back to the wedding of the Duch

ed back to Jo

ng; "I will come back to the

the kindly Prince, willing to gratify his sister, who was sm

nce," said the secretary, looking up at

checked and astonished the Prince so m

mused, as he cast his memory back into the past

all, was li

e towers of the minster loomed up. A couple of priests bowed low before him as he passed, and the people standing still to watch

m a couple of guards who talked at the gate of the ros

self; "wait, I will yet show them