And Richard meditated. "Faith of a gentleman!" he declared; "but you are nothing of the sort, and of this fact I happen to be quite certain." Their lips met then and afterward their eyes; and either was too glad for laughter.
THE END OF THE EIGHTH NOVEL
IX
The Story of the Navarrese
"J'ay en mon cueur joyeusement
Escript, afin que ne l'oublie,
Ce refrain qu'ayme chierement,
C'estes vous de qui suis amye."
THE NINTH NOVEL.—JEHANE OF NAVARRE, AFTER A SHREWD
WITHSTANDING OF ALL OTHER ASSAULTS, IS IN A LONG
DUEL WHEREIN TIME AND COMMON-SENSE ARE FLOUTED,
AND TWO KINGDOMS SHAKEN, ALIKE DETHRONED AND
RECOMPENSED BY AN ENDURING LUNACY.
The Story of the Navarrese
n the year of grace 1386, upon the feast of Saint Bartholomew (thus Nicolas begins), came to the Spanish coast Messire Peyre de Lesnerac, in a war-ship sumptuously furnished and manned by many persons of dignity and wealth, in order they might suitably escort the Princess Jehane into Brittany, where she was to marry the Duke of that province. There were now rejoicings throughout Navarre, in which the Princess took but a nominal part and young Antoine Riczi none at all.