YoutalkofGaietyandInnocence！
Themomentwhenthefatalfruitwaseaten，Theypartedne’ertomeetagain:andMaliceHaseversincebeenplaymatetolightGaiety，FromthefirstmomentwhenthesmilinginfantDestroystheflowerorbutterflyhetoyswith，Tothelastchuckleofthedyingmiser，WhoonhisdeathbedlaughshislasttohearHiswealthyneighbourhasbecomeabankrupt。
OldPlay。
SirKennethwasleftforsomeminutesalone，andindarkness。
Herewasanotherinterruption，whichmustprolonghisabsencefromhispost，andhebeganalmosttorepentthefacilitywithwhichhehadbeeninducedtoquitit。ButtoreturnwithoutseeingtheLadyEdith，wasnownottobethoughtof。Hehadcommittedabreachofmilitarydiscipline，andwasdeterminedatleasttoprovetherealityoftheseductiveexpectationswhichhadtemptedhimtodoso。Meanwhile，hissituationwasunpleasant。Therewasnolighttoshowhimintowhatsortofapartmenthehadbeenled-theLadyEdithwasinimmediateattendanceontheQueenofEngland-andthediscoveryofhishavingintroducedhimselfthusfurtivelyintotheroyalpavilion，might，wereitdiscovered，leadtomuchanddangeroussuspicion。Whilehegavewaytotheseunpleasantreflections，andbeganalmosttowishthathecouldachievehisretreatunobserved，heheardanoiseoffemalevoiceslaughing，whispering，andspeaking，inanadjoiningapartment，fromwhich，asthesoundsgavehimreasontojudge，hecouldonlybeseparatedbyacanvaspartition。Lampswereburning，ashemightperceivebytheshadowylightwhichextendeditselfeventohissideoftheveilwhichdividedthetent，andhecouldseeshadesofseveralfiguressittingandmovingintheadjoiningapartment。ItcannotbetermeddiscourtesyinSirKenneth，that，situatedashewas，heoverheardaconversation，inwhichhefoundhimselfdeeplyinterested。
Callher-callher，forOurLady’ssake，’’saidthevoiceofoneoftheselaughinginvisibles。Nectabanus，thoushaltbemadeambassadortoPresterJohn’scourt，toshowthemhowwiselythoucanstdischargetheeofamission。’’
Theshrilltoneofthedwarfwasheard，yetsomuchsubdued，thatSirKennethcouldnotunderstandwhathesaid，exceptthathespokesomethingofthemeansofmerrimentgiventotheguard。
ButhowshallweridusofthespiritwhichNectabanushathraised，mymaidens？’’
Hearme，royalmadam，’’saidanothervoice；ifthesageandprincelyNectabanusbenotoverzealousofhismosttranscendentbrideandempress，letussendhertogetusridofthisinsolentknight-errant，whocanbesoeasilypersuadedthathigh-borndamesmayneedtheuseofhisinsolentandoverweeningvalour。’’
Itwerebutjustice，methinks，’’repliedanother，thatthePrincessGuenevrashoulddismiss，byhercourtesy，himwhomherhusband’swisdomhasbeenabletoenticehither。’’
Strucktotheheartwithshameandresentmentatwhathehadheard，SirKennethwasabouttoattempthisescapefromthetentatallhazards，whenwhatfollowedarrestedhispurpose。
Nay，truly，’’saidthefirstspeaker，ourcousinEdithmustfirstlearnhowthisvauntedwighthathconductedhimself，andwemustreservethepowerofgivingherocularproofthathehathfailedinhisduty。Itmaybealessonwilldogooduponher；for，creditme，Calista，Ihavesometimesthoughtshehasletthisnorthernadventurersitnearerherheartthanprudencewouldsanction。’’
OneoftheothervoiceswasthenheardtomuttersomethingoftheLadyEdith’sprudenceandwisdom。
Prudence，wench！’’wasthereply-Itismerepride，andthedesiretobethoughtmorerigidthananyofus。Nay，I
willnotquitmyadvantage。Youknowwell，thatwhenshehasusatfault，noonecan，inacivilway，layyourerrorbeforeyoumorepreciselythancanmyLadyEdith-Buthereshecomes。’’
Afigure，asifenteringtheapartment，castuponthepartitionashade，whichglidedalongslowlyuntilitmixedwiththosewhichalreadycloudedit。Despiteofthebitterdisappointmentwhichhehadexperienced-despitetheinsultandinjurywithwhichitseemedhehadbeenvisitedbythemalice，or，atbest，bytheidlehumourofQueenBerengariaforhealreadyconcludedthatshewhospokeloudest，andinacommandingtone，wasthewifeofRichard，theknightfeltsomethingsosoothingtohisfeelingsinlearningthatEdithhadbeennopartnertothefraudpractisedonhim，andsointerestingtohiscuriosityinthescenewhichwasabouttotakeplace，that，insteadofprosecutinghismoreprudentpurposeofaninstantretreat，helookedanxiously，onthecontrary，forsomerentorcrevice，bymeansofwhichhemightbemadeeyeaswellasearwitnesstowhatwastogoforward。
Surely，’’saidhetohimself，theQueen，whohathbeenpleasedforanidlefrolictoendangermyreputation，andperhapsmylife，cannotcomplainifIavailmyselfofthechancewhichfortuneseemswillingtoaffordme，toobtainknowledgeofherfartherintentions。’’
Itseemed，inthemeanwhile，asifEdithwerewaitingforthecommandsoftheQueen，andasiftheotherwerereluctanttospeak，forfearofbeingunabletocommandherlaughter，andthatofhercompanions；forSirKennethcouldonlydistinguishasoundasofsuppressedtitteringandmerriment。
YourMajesty，’’saidEdith，atlast，seemsinamerrymood，though，methinks，thehourofnightpromptsasleepyone。
Iwaswelldisposedbedward，whenIhadyourMajesty’scommandstoattendyou。’’
Iwillnotlongdelayyou，cousin，fromyourrepose，’’saidtheQueen；thoughIfearyouwillsleeplesssoundlywhenI
tellyouyourwagerislost。’’
Nay，royalmadam，’’saidEdith，thissurelyisdwellingonajestwhichhasratherbeenwornout。Ilaidnowager，howeveritwasyourMajesty’spleasuretosuppose，ortoinsist，thatIdidso。’’
Nay，now，despiteourpilgrimage，Satanisstrongwithyou，mygentlecousin，andpromptstheetoleasing。Canyoudenythatyougagedyourrubyringagainstmygoldenbracelet，thatyonderKnightoftheLibbard，orhowcallyouhim，couldnotbeseducedfromhispost？’’
YourMajestyistoogreatformetogainsayyou，’’repliedEdith；buttheseladiescan，iftheywill，bearmewitness，thatitwasyourHighnesswhoproposedsuchawager，andtooktheringfrommyfinger，evenwhileIwasdeclaringthatIdidnotthinkitmaidenlytogageanythingonsuchasubject。’’
Nay，but，myLadyEdith，’’saidanothervoice，youmustneedsgrant，underyourfavour，thatyouexpressedyourselfveryconfidentofthevalourofthatsameKnightoftheLeopard。’’
AndifIdid，minion，’’saidEdith，angrily，isthatagoodreasonwhythoushouldstputinthywordtoflatterherMajesty’shumour？Ispokeofthatknightbutasallmenspeakwhohaveseenhiminthefield，andhadnomoreinterestindefendingthanthouindetractingfromhim。Inacamp，whatcanwomenspeakofsavesoldiersanddeedsofarms？’’
ThenobleLadyEdith，’’saidathirdvoice，hathneverforgivenCalistaandme，sincewetoldyourMajestythatshedroppedtworose-budsinthechapel。’’
IfyourMajesty，’’saidEdith，inatonewhichSirKennethcouldjudgetobethatofrespectfulremonstrance，havenoothercommandsformethantohearthegibesofyourwaiting-women，Imustcraveyourpermissiontowithdraw。’’
Silence，Florise，’’saidtheQueen，andletnotourindulgenceleadyoutoforgetthedifferencebetwixtyourselfandthekinswomanofEngland-Butyou，mydearcousin，’’shecontinued，resuminghertoneofraillery，howcanyou，whoaresogood-natured，begrudgeuspoorwretchesafewminutes’
laughing，whenwehavehadsomanydaysdevotedtoweepingandgnashingofteeth？’’
Greatbeyourmirth，royallady，’’saidEdith；yetwouldIbecontentnottosmilefortherestofmylife，ratherthan’’-
Shestopped，apparentlyoutofrespect；butSirKennethcouldhearthatshewasinmuchagitation。
Forgiveme，’’saidBerengaria，athoughtlessbutgood-humouredprincessoftheHouseofNavarre，-butwhatisthegreatoffenceafterall？Ayoungknighthasbeenwiledhither-hasstolen-orhas_been_stolen-fromhispost，whichnoonewilldisturbinhisabsence，forthesakeofafairlady；
for，todoyourchampionjustice，sweetone，thewisdomofNectabanuscouldconjurehimhitherinnonamebutyours。’’
GraciousHeaven！yourMajestydoesnotsayso？’’saidEdith，inavoiceofalarmquitedifferentfromtheagitationshehadpreviouslyevinced，-youcannotsayso，consistentlywithrespectforyourownhonourandformine，yourhusband’skinswoman！-Sayyouwerejestingwithme，myroyalmistress，andforgivemethatIcould，evenforamoment，thinkitpossibleyoucouldbeinearnest！’’
TheLadyEdith，’’saidtheQueen，inadispleasedtoneofvoice，regretstheringwehavewonofher-Wewillrestorethepledgetoyou，gentlecousin，onlyyoumustnotgrudgeusinturnalittletriumphoverthewisdomwhichhasbeensooftenspreadoverusasabanneroverahost。’’
Atriumph！’’exclaimedEdith，indignantly；atriumph-thetriumphwillbewiththeinfidel，whenhehearsthattheQueenofEnglandcanmakethereputationofherhusband’skinswomanthesubjectofalightfrolic。’’
Youareangry，faircousin，atlosingyourfavouritering，’’
saidtheQueen-Come，sinceyougrudgetopayyourwager，wewillrenounceourright；itwasyournameandthatpledgebroughthimhither，andwecarenotforthebaitafterthefishiscaught。’’
Madam，’’repliedEdith，impatiently，youknowwellthatyourGracecouldnotwishforanythingofminebutitbecomesinstantlyyours。ButIwouldgiveabushelofrubiesereringornameofminehadbeenusedtobringabravemanintoafault，andperhapstodisgraceandpunishment。’’
Oh，itisforthesafetyofourtrueknightthatwefear！’’
saidtheQueen。Yourateourpowertoolow，faircousin，whenyouspeakofalifebeinglostforafrolicofours。Oh，LadyEdith，othershaveinfluenceontheironbreastsofwarriorsaswellasyou-theheartevenofalionismadeofflesh，notofstone；and，believeme，IhaveinterestenoughwithRichardtosavethisknight，inwhosefaithLadyEdithissodeeplyconcerned，fromthepenaltyofdisobeyinghisroyalcommands。’’
FortheloveoftheblessedCross，mostroyallady，’’saidEdith-andSirKenneth，withfeelingswhichitwerehardtounravel，heardherprostrateherselfattheQueen’sfeet，-fortheloveofourblessedlady，andofeveryholysaintinthecalendar，bewarewhatyoudo！YouknownotKingRichard-
youhavebeenbutshortlyweddedtohim-yourbreathmightaswellcombatthewestwindwhenitiswildest，asyourwordspersuademyroyalkinsmantopardonamilitaryoffence。Oh！
forGod’ssake，dismissthisgentleman，ifindeedyouhaveluredhimhither！Icouldalmostbecontenttorestwiththeshameofhavinginvitedhim，didIknowthathewasreturnedagainwherehisdutycallshim！’’
Arise，cousin，arise，’’saidQueenBerengaria，andbeassuredallwillbebetterthanyouthink。Rise，dearEdith；I
amsorryIhaveplayedmyfoolerywithaknightinwhomyoutakesuchdeepinterest-Nay，wringnotthyhands-Iwillbelievethoucarestnotforhim-believeanythingratherthanseetheelooksowretchedlymiserable-ItelltheeIwilltaketheblameonmyselfwithKingRichardinbehalfofthyfairnorthernfriend-thineacquaintance，Iwouldsay，sincethouown’sthimnotasafriend-Nay，looknotsoreproachfully-We-willsendNectabanustodismissthisKnightoftheStandardtohispost；andweourselveswillgracehimonsomefutureday，tomakeamendsforhiswild-goosechase。Heis，Iwarrant，butlyingperdueinsomeneighbouringtent。’’
Bymycrownoflilies，andmysceptreofaspeciallygoodwater-reed，’’saidNectabanus，yourMajestyismistaken-heisnearerathandthanyouwot-heliethensconcedtherebehindthatcanvaspartition。’’
Andwithinhearingofeachwordwehavesaid！’’exclaimedtheQueen，inherturnviolentlysurprisedandagitated-Out，monsteroffollyandmalignity！’’
Assheutteredthesewords，Nectabanusfledfromthepavilionwithayellofsuchanature，asleavesitstilldoubtfulwhetherBerengariahadconfinedherrebuketowords，oraddedsomemoreemphaticexpressionofherdispleasure。
Whatcannowbedone？’’saidtheQueentoEdith，inawhisperofundisguiseduneasiness。
Thatwhichmust，’’saidEdith，firmly。Wemustseethisgentleman，andplaceourselvesinhismercy。’’
Sosaying，shebeganhastilytoundoacurtain，whichatoneplacecoveredanentranceorcommunication。
ForHeaven’ssake，forbear-consider，’’saidtheQueen，myapartment-ourdress-thehour-myhonour！’’
Butereshecoulddetailherremonstrances，thecurtainfell，andtherewasnodivisionanylongerbetwixtthearmedknightandthepartyofladies。ThewarmthofanEasternnightoccasionedtheundressofQueenBerengariaandherhouseholdtoberathermoresimple，andunstudiedthantheirstation，andthepresenceofamalespectatorofrank，required。ThistheQueenremembered，andwithaloudshriekfledfromtheapartmentwhereSirKennethwasdisclosedtoviewinacompartmentoftheamplepavilion，nownolongerseparatedfromthatinwhichtheystood。ThegriefandagitationoftheLadyEdith，aswellasthedeepinterestshefeltinahastyexplanationwiththeScottishknight，perhapsoccasionedherforgetting，thatherlocksweremoredishevelled，andherpersonlessheedfullycovered，thanwasthewontofhigh-borndamsels，inanagewhichwasnot，afterall，themostprudishorscrupulousperiodoftheancienttime。Athinloosegarmentofpink-colouredsilkmadetheprincipalpartofhervestments，withOrientalslippers，intowhichshehadhastilythrustherbarefeet，andascarfhurriedlyandlooselythrownabouthershoulders。Herheadhadnoothercoveringthantheveilofrichanddishevelledlocksfallingrounditoneveryside，thathalfhidacountenance，whichamingledsenseofmodesty，andofresentment，andotherdeepandagitatingfeelings，hadcoveredwithcrimson。