The Forest Lovers

The seneschal kissed his hand, and never doubted for one moment more

but that Prosper was the pattern of knighthood. The image-maker at

March was thereafter busy with the figure of one in the similitude of

an Archangel, under whom ran the legend-"Properate vias ejus."

It is reported that he had a further commission for a great bronze

Saint Isidore, destined to the chapel at High March.

Days of festival followed, with jousting and minstrelsy. Isoult sat in

a green silk bower, clothed all in white, her black hair twisted with

pearls, a crown of red roses upon all. The hooded falcon showed again

on baldrick and girdle, the fesse dancettée flickered on a new

shield, the red plumes danced; "Bide the Time" was the cry. After this

came all the mesne lords to do homage for their lands, and among them

was Malise le Gai, Lord of Starning and Parrox. Prosper, when the two

met, laughed at him, made him angry, got forgiven, and shook hands. He

thus put the man at his ease, and won a tolerable friendship with his

brother against the time when the elder would be, in respect of

certain fiefs, the vassal of the younger. But from Goltres came none

to do fealty, nor from Hauterive, nor from Malbank Saint Thorn.

Goltres, in fact, was escheat, and granted out to Prosper's brother

Osric and his new wife from Prè. A new abbot was set over Holy Thorn;

but the charter of pit and gallows was revoked by the Countess, withal

she said--"It was the granting of that charter which won me my child

again."

It does not appear that there is anything more to record.

"What am I to call you, lady wife?" said Prosper, when he had her in

his arms again.

"Ah, lord, thou shouldst know by now!"

"Pietosa?"

"Prosper!"

"Isoult la Desirée?

"If you must."

"Isoult la Desirous?"

"It would be true.

"What will you have then, child?"

"Ah, ah, I will have that!"

It was, after all, but a rosy child that Prosper kissed.