The first emotion of joy and surprise over, Bertha checked her transports, and chid the knight for his boldness.
"Nay, chide me not, dear Bertha; I am what I was when I left you, and hope to find you the same."
"Am I not?" said Bertha.—"Truly I know not, for you seem more beautiful than you were then; I hope that is the only change."
"If there be a change, it is only such as you see. Sorrow and regret form the principal causes."—"I understand you."
"My intended nuptials ——" "Yes, I have heard all. I came here but late in the morning; and my horse was jaded and tired, and my impatience to attend the tournament caused me a disaster which it is well it came not on the second day."
"It is, dear Arthur. How is it I never heard your name mentioned, or that I received no news from any one about you during the wars that have ended?"—"I had more than one personal enemy, Bertha; men who would have been glad to see me fall, and who, in default of that, would not have minded bribing an assassin to secure my death for them at any risk whatever."
"Heavens! and how did you escape such a death from such people, Arthur?"—"By adopting such a device as that I wear. The Knight of the Green Shield I'm called."
"I saw you to-day in the tournament."—"And there my tired and jaded horse gave way; but to-morrow I shall have, I hope, a different fortune."
"I hope so too."—"I will try; my arm has been good in battle, and I see not why it should be deficient in peaceful jousts."
"Certainly not. What fortune have you met with since you left England?"—"I was of course known but to a few; among those few were the general under whom I served and my more immediate officers, who I knew would not divulge my secret."