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。