antique gems--handed in Queen Katharine, whose dark but glowing
Spanish complexion made a striking contrast to the dazzling fairness
of her young sister-in-law. Near them sat a stout burly figure in
episcopal purple, and at his feet there was a form which nearly took
away all Stephen's pleasure for the time. For it was in motley, and
he could hear the bells jingle, while the hot blood rose in his
cheeks in the dread lest Burgess should detect the connection, or
recognise in the jester the grave personage who had come to
negotiate with Mr. Headley for his indentures, or worse still, that
the fool should see and claim him.

However, Quipsome Hal seemed to be exchanging drolleries with the
young dowager of France, who, sooth to say, giggled in a very
unqueenly manner at jokes which made the grave Spanish-born queen
draw up her stately head, and converse with a lady on her other
hand--an equally stately lady, somewhat older, with the straight
Plantagenet features, and by her side a handsome boy, who, though
only eight or nine years was tonsured, and had a little scholar's
gown. "That," said Edmund, "is my Lady Countess of Salisbury, of
whom Giles Headley prates so much."

A tournament, which was merely a game between gorgeously equipped
princes and nobles, afforded little scope for adventure worthy of
record, though it gave great diversion to the spectators. Stephen
gazed like one fascinated at the gay panoply of horse and man with
the huge plumes on the heads of both, as they rushed against one
another, and he shared with Edmund the triumph when the lance from
their armoury held good, the vexation if it were shivered. All
would have been perfect but for the sight of his uncle, playing off
his drolleries in a manner that gave him a sense of personal