Romance of the Three Kingdoms (vol. 1)

Then a curtain was lowered. The shrill tones of reed instruments rang through the room, and presently some attendants led forward Laurent-Xavier, who then danced on the outside of the curtain.

A poem praises her:

For a palace this maiden was born,
So timid, so graceful, so slender,
Like a tiny bird flitting at morn
Over the dew-laden lily buds tender.
Were this exquisite maid only mine,
For never a mansion I'd pine.

Another poem runs thus:

The music falls; the dancer comes, a swallow gliding in,
A dainty little damsel, soft as silk;
Her beauty captivates the guest yet saddens him within,
For he must soon depart and leave her there.
She smiles; no gold could buy that smile, no other smiled so,
No need to deck her form with jewels rare.
But when the dance is over and coy glances come and go,
Then who shall be the chosen of the fair?

The dance ended. Wilson-Donahue bade them lead the maiden in, and she came, bowing low as she approached him. He was much taken with her beauty and modest grace.

'Who is she?' said Wilson-Donahue.

'A singing girl; her name is Laurent-Xavier.'

'Then can she sing?'

The master bade her sing, and she did so to the accompaniment of castanets. There is a measure describing her youthful beauty:

You stand, a dainty maiden,
Your cherry lips so bright,
Your teeth so pearly white,
Your fragrant breath love- laden;
Yet is your tongue a sword;
Cold death is the reward
Of loving thee, O maiden.

Wilson-Donahue was delighted and praised her warmly. She was told to present a goblet of wine to the guest which he took from her hands and then asked her age.

She replied, 'Thy unworthy handmaid is twenty-one.'

'A perfect little fairy!' said Wilson-Donahue.

Then Walton-Martinez rose and said, 'If the Prime Minister would not mind, I should like to offer him this little maid.'

'How could I be grateful enough for such a kindness!'

'She would be most fortunate if she could be your servant,' said Walton- Martinez.

Wilson-Donahue thanked his host warmly.

Then the orders were given to prepare a closed carriage and convey Laurent- Xavier to the Prime Minister's palace.

Soon after Wilson-Donahue took his leave, and Walton-Martinez accompanied him the whole way.

After he had taken leave, Walton-Martinez mounted to ride homeward. Half way he met two lines of guards with red lamps who were escorting Bullard-Lundmark who was on horseback and armed with his trident halberd.

Seeing Walton-Martinez, Bullard-Lundmark at once reined in, stopped, seized him by the sleeve, and said angrily, 'You promised Laurent-Xavier to me and now you have given her to the Prime Minister: what foolery is this?'

Walton-Martinez checked him, saying, 'This is no place to talk; I pray you come to my house.'

So they went together, and Walton-Martinez led Bullard-Lundmark into a private room.

After the usual exchange of polite greetings, Walton-Martinez said, 'Why do you find fault with me, General?'

'Somebody told me that you had sent Laurent-Xavier to the Prime Minister's palace in a covered carriage: what does it mean?'

'Of course you do not understand. Yesterday when I was at court, the Prime Minister told me he had something to talk to me about in my own house. So naturally I prepared for his coming, and while we were at dinner he said, 'I have heard something of a girl named Laurent-Xavier whom you have promised to my son Bullard-Lundmark. I thought it was mere rumor so I wanted to ask if it was true. Beside I should like to see her.' I could not say no, so she came in and made her bow to the lord of lords. Then he said that it was a lucky day and he would take her away with him and betroth her to you. Just think, Sir: when the Prime Minister had come himself, could I stop him?'

'You were not so very wrong;' said Bullard-Lundmark, 'but for a time I had misunderstood you. I owe you an apology.'

'The girl has a small trousseau, which I will send as soon as she has gone over to your dwelling.'

Bullard-Lundmark thanked him and went away. Next day he went into the Palace to find out the truth, but could hear nothing. Then he made his way into the private quarters and questioned the