--"yes, the coat of arms of the great Constable
of Dubrois. As proud a sword as that of the king. Where did you get
it?" And in his sudden interest, the dwarf half-ventured from his
place of refuge.

"Answer him not!" said the girl, hastily.

"Was it you, mistress, gave it him?" he asked, with a sudden, sharp
look.

Her contemptuous gaze was her only reply.

"By the dust of kings, when last I saw it, the haughty constable
himself it was who wore it," continued Triboulet. "Aye, when he defied
Francis to his face. I can see him now, a rich surcoat over his gilded
armor; the queen-mother, an amorous Dulcinea, gazing at him, with all
her soul in her eyes; the brilliant company startled; even the king
overawed. 'Twas I broke the spell, while the monarch and the court
were silent, not daring to speak."

"You!" From the young woman's eyes flashed a flame of deepest hatred.

The hunchback shrank back; then laughed. "I, Triboulet!" he boasted.
"'Ha!' said I, 'he's greater than the king!' whereupon Francis frowned,
started, and answered the constable, refusing his claim. Not long
thereafter the constable died in Spain, and I completed the jest.
'So,' said I, 'he is less than a man.' And the king, who remembered,
laughed."

"Let us go," said the jestress, very white.

Silently the _plaisant_ obeyed, and Triboulet once more ventured forth.
"Momus go with you!" he called out after them. And then:

"'_Morbleu_! A merry monarch and a jestress fair;'"

More quickly they rode on. Furtively, with suppressed rage in his
heart, the duke's fool regarded his companion. Her face was cold and
set, and as his glance rested on its pale, pure outline, beneath his
breath he cursed Brusquet, Triboulet and all their kind. He understood
now--too well--the secret of her flight. What he had heretofore been
fairly assured of was unmistakably confirmed. The sight of the tavern
which they came suddenly upon and the appearance of the innkeeper
interrupted this dark trend of thought, and, springing from his horse,
the jester helped the girl to dismount.

The house, being situated in the immediate proximity of the grand
chateau, received a certain patronage from noble lords and ladies.
This trade had given the proprietor such an opinion of his hostelry
that common folk were not wont to be overwhelmed with welcome. In the
present instance the man showed a disposition to scrutinize too closely
the modest attire of the new-co