r some generous use when
there is need: of whom all men speak well, because of a certain strength
he hath; but women rarely, for the scorn he showeth for heartless
trifling. If he should love a woman, she need not fear to trust him."

"And if he loveth not though he were a prince among men," Margherita
answered with an effort at playful speech, "it were folly to trust his
vows."

"Truly it were folly," the Queen replied, growing suddenly pensive, "and
it were not easy to know wisdom from folly in such a matter, perchance.
Let us speak no more of it--though I had a third to bring before thee."

"Then," said Margherita with unexpected docility, "an' it please your
Majesty I will listen."

"Thou art so gracious that I scarce do know thee!" the Queen retorted
playfully, "thou who art wont to hold me with a wholesome fear! But for
the third--now I bethink me--it were scarce worth the telling, since it
was but a word that he left with me--no more--that I would that thou
hadst seen him utter it, a simple vow--yet I know that none shall move
him from it! Listen, Margherita: '_For me there is none other._'"

"Said he no more, when he asked so much?" Dama Margherita questioned
with a desperate attempt to defer the moment of yielding.

Caterina turned and looked at her seriously.

"If he hath not the gift, already," she said, "it is much to ask. Yet,
if he holdeth it, by no constraint--but _because it is for him alone and
may not be withheld_--however one may struggle,--need one ask further
assurance of happiness? Choose thou from these, my Margherita. They are
good knights."

"All three--or one?" Margherita asked, with deepening color and shining
eyes that were her confession and surrender. "These three are one--my
Lady giveth me no choice."

"How one?" the Queen answered promptly, willing to grant her a little
more time, for she saw that it was not easy for this proud maid to
yield. "For one is lofty and masterful, and of a great prowess--so that
men fear him. And one is knightly and worshipful, with a trick of speech
when it pleaseth him, so that a woman might love him if he plead with
her for favor. And one--nay, of him we will speak no more. For he hath a
will that may not be denied when he hath said, '_For me_ there is none
other.'"

"My beloved Lady doth trifle with me," Margherita exclaimed in
confusion. "She will not lay this command upon me!"

"My Margherita--most solemnly I bid thee choose that which shall