137 "How can you tell at this distance, espe— cially as their visors are down?" observed Rosamond. They are strangers," persisted Jacque line, "They come, perhaps, from the hunt, which was to be near Hereford to-day," suggested Rosamond, without even looking at them. "They wear their armour, and their chargers were also in war trim. Heaven send there is no bad news!" exclaimed Jacqueline, with a shudder; "we are terribly near the Welsh here." "No, no, why should there be bad you are always thinking of the news? Welsh,” said Rosamond, laughing. 66 I remember the last war," replied Jacqueline, "it was awful! I should not like to be told to prepare for a siege." "And if we were besieged, Clifford Castle could defend itself," rejoined Rosa mond, proudly. "But indeed, good Jan queline, your fears are vain. Yonday knights look peacefully inclined: see how they seat themselves comfortably in the sun. They are visitors perhaps, or travellers; and look! there is Adam Henred hastening to meet them." “So he is, I declare,” answered Jacqueline, delightedly. "Now we shall know all about them. I will run down and meet Adam on his way back to the hall.” "How curious you are!--what does it signify?" observed Rosamond, carelessly. Every thing signifies-the least thing signifies," replied Jacqueline. "Is not our life made up of little things? Moments make hours, and hours make centuries. As for me, I like to know everything that goes on; so I shall just run down and meet that good Adam Henred. Here he comes." And accordingly, with the greatest speed, Jacqueline bustled out of the room; while Rosamond, with a vacant air, still gazed from the window. But she did not remain long alone, for in an incredibly short space of time Jacqueline re-appeared; but this time, being utterly deprived of speech, she could only point to the door,-where, in a few moments, the stately figure of Adam Henred was seen. He drew himself up to his full height, just within the doorway, and rested the end of his white wand of office upon the floor. "Madam, and gracious lady," he said, bowing low before her, "in the absence of my lord, I have come to take your orders. Will it please you say what preparations shall be made? His highness the King comes here to-day." "The King!" exclaimed Rosamond, in a tone of unfeigned surprise. "The King!" echoed Jacqueline, with unconcealed delight. "The King!” replied Adam, with all the gravity of office. "Two gentlemen of his chamber have been sent before to announce his intention. But his highness rides fast; be here anon, and my lord and all company are certain to be late. We must prepare for so great an honour." he his may "Does the King stay to-night?" asked Rosamond. "To-night, and many nights, madam, until the messengers dispatched to Wales sha have returned. At least so I am informed.” "His highness is welcome," said Rosa mond, collecting herself. "Lette prepared that is needful; let the southern chamber be strewn with rushes, and green boughs; and see that the hall is decked, and flowers laid upon the ground: then summon all the household to line the court and gateway. Should his highness arrive before my lord returns, I myself will meet him in the hall." The calm dignity with which Rosamond uttered her commands filled the honest heart of Adam Henred with pleasure, and restored the fluttering senses of Jacqueline. The seneschal bowed, and withdrew, delighted at the prospect of a little more than customary state. "And now, Jacqueline, quick, quick! my best attire!" said Rosamond. then hasten to attend me in the hall." "And She said no more; and Jacqueline stupified by the verification of her predictions about the two strange knights, forgot to talk; and, as she busied herself with the necessary arrangements for the appearance of her young mistress, could only mutter to herself. "The King! the King!" |