to him kindly, and telling him of the six days'
journey from which he and his squire Brian were just returning, and how
they had been delayed on the way until nightfall.

"And, by my faith!" said Count Bernard, "thou shalt sleep this night in
the strong castle of Bois Varne, with not even a mouse to fret thy yellow
head; and, what is more, thou shalt see the fairest little maid that ever
thou hast set eyes on!"

And then he told him of his little daughter, the Lady Elinor, and how she
would play with Felix and show him the castle, and how on the morrow they
would see about sending him home to Sur Varne.

And all the while the count was talking they were trotting briskly onward,
till by and by they emerged from the forest and saw towering near at hand
the castle of Bois Varne. The tall turrets shone and shimmered in the
moonlight, and over the gateway of the drawbridge hung a lighted cresset--
that is, a beautiful wrought-iron basket, in which blazed a ruddy torch of
oil to light them on their way.

At sight of this the count and Brian spurred on their horses, and were
soon clattering across the bridge and into the great paved courtyard. The
count flung his bridle to a little page who hastened out to meet him, and
then, springing from his saddle, lightly lifted Felix and swung him to the
ground. He took the boy by the hand and led him into the great hall of the
castle.

To Felix this looked marvelously beautiful. Christmas garlands of myrtle
hung on the walls, and a great pile of freshly cut laurel boughs lay on a
bench, ready for the morrow's arranging. But that which took his eyes most
of all was the lovely carving everywhere to be seen. The benches and
tables were covered with it; the wainscot of the spacious room was richly
adorned; and over and about the wide fireplace great carved dragons of
stone curled their long tails and spread their wings through a maze of
intricate traceries. Felix was enchanted, and gazed around till his eyes
fairly ached.

Presently in came running a little girl, laughing with delight. Bounding
up into Count Bernard's arms, she hugged and kissed him in true Provencal
fashion. Then, catching sight of Felix, "Ah, mon pere," she exclaimed,
"and where foundest thou thy pretty new page?"

"Nay, sweetheart," answered the count, looking down at Felix's yellow
hair; "'t is no page, but a little goldfinch we found perched in a
chestnut-tree as we rode through the forest."

Then, smiling at