Burgundy: The Splendid Duchy

tle of interest to the antiquarian; though the stir of life on the busy wharves may prove enticing to t

n Chalon, than we set ourselves to picturing the town as it had been, when the river was the scene of royal pageants, when three golden bands gi

d his principal barons; then came the Chancellor's boat, with other nobles; then the barges of the kitchen, the wardrobe, the wine-cellar, and the fish store. The Duke appeared with great éclat at Avignon, and offered the pope a courser,

had founded two miles away eastward, in the plain, a great abbey in honour of St. Marcel, the apostle of the Chalonnais, martyred upon that very spot. Gontran too, it was, who rebuilt the walls of Chalon, broken down by the Huns, and ornamented them, for a belt, with three

Bertille, the heroine of the golden bands-surna

lovely and virtuous, that she was the pride, not of her parents only, but of all the town, famous though it then was for producing beautiful women. Bertille was nearly seventeen ye

nt to the door of the apartment, which opened upon the street. Standing upon the threshold, he was enjoying the freshness of the twilight air,

dy there drew near a great cortège, ecclesiastics for the most part, proceeding in some

Hobiliacus-and thither this cortège of bishops and priests was bent, eager to arri

of his garment, he appeared to be a noble-lord, perhaps, of some neighbouring kingdom. His steed was rearing; and he, not averse from showing to the crowd his strength and skill in horsemanship, let it plung

the girl, blushing and hiding her head behind Vulfrand's

er, ma belle, are

lord's stare

en; even when one is as pretty as you." He kissed her forehead, smiling, and together they went in. They

with it came t

, my Bertille; sleep well, and above

ut your foot on his head," sa

d was a big bird. Go to bed; sleep, dream of him, and crush hi

nd to-morrow's council at St. Marcel. But, ever, as he rode, the beautiful face of Bertille shining before his eyes, awoke evil thoughts within him. He soon decided that so fair a maid was better worth his attention, than a discussion with

little trouble. These are quiet days in my town of Troyes; and who k

costed the maid, told her who he was, and how her charms had brought him, at one glance, to her feet. But, to his great surprise, he found that neither the magic title of Duke, nor of Duchess, even, wroug

ord between his teeth. "None the less th

proud face aflame with wine and anger. Messengers were announced, an

gh," he growled at them, "Ere now I

this morning, Prince, and 'tis a d

threw them a purse of gold. As they withdrew, Amalon retired into a far corner of the apartment.

let them bring me?" And her beautiful, terrified eyes sea

tering a piercing screa

fair Champagne?" And he drew near to her. The girl raised her eyes

ot too exacting." He laid his fingers under the chin of the kneeling girl. Shuddering, Bertille sprang to her feet; his

fly my sigh

could not restrain a little cry, that was half appeal, half prayer. As she prayed, her eye caught the gl

my men without hear only my voice." With a s

mbled her beauty before him, and her long, black hair, dishevelled, swept his very feet, strong passion burnt out all pity from Amalon's heart. He bent low, and took he

the uplifted blade. There came the sound of a blow, an awful cry, an

s were raised over Bertille's head. The Duke sa

her go. This is God's hand; so should virtue strike."

t nave, and all were rapt in the closest attention, when suddenly the door of the church was seen to open swiftly, and a figure, heedless of the guardian's stern warning, entered the church, and ran down the nave towards the choir. At th

upon her breast,

it was to keep me s

tood silent. Every eye was fastened upon the maid. Th

im that I would speak." So the fathers brought her to the king's presence, within the mona

ling; "A maid as fair as y

have pleased God to fashion me; but if it be, indeed, b

rl stood silent. She reddened, and bent her head stil

uilty ... and I come to yield myself into your

ran, not less amazed than the othe

roof is, that for three days I hav

e are you

Chal

ou not seen the

!" She loosened a fold of her dress; and there,

" cried

, indignation, writ at first upon every face, gave way to nods and

nks; but rather a heroine!" said Gontr

e? Yet, in my thought, your maiden modesty and fear rank you above even that noble Judith. Be comforted then; to-morrow you shall see your parents ag

t first, to follow the king's men, saying that the loss of their daughter had stricken them so deep in sorrow, that they would go no whither for no man-even though he be their own be

nd Gontran told them that he wotted well their story, and aske

ost her-dost think he would not be fain for her face again?" And Ludwige wailed an echo to that plaint

causing them to look round. Then, when they saw themselves in the midst of this royal assembly, they feared greatly, and Ludwige clung to her husband. But, with a smile and a graci

crowns, the which he laid at the king's feet. Then that sainted and holy bishop, Gregory of Tours, rose from his chair in the great hall, and approa

unite, sometimes, in a single being. Yestereve were you and I permitted to see and to hear her whom God has so privileg

n of virtue-and how great hers is, you know well. The third is the crown of courage-you have heard

She drew near to the throne; and her tread was light as the foot-fall of an angel. Ludwige and Vulfrand could not take their ey

pon the royal dais the azure cushion, and bade the maid kneel thereon. Then he gave the three golden crow

serves a crown. Here is the crown of beauty." And he laid

crown. Here is the crown of virtue." And he placed upon her

serves a crown. Here is the crown of courage." And he laid upon her

ed the king, "raise your

her!" The two women wept in each other'

told me you knew somewhat of

d there, if I know aught of maids' minds, she will tell you all. Be happy, then; for God h

oing, let us preserve the memory of Bertille's triumph. Three bands of gilded stone shall be built within the wall, to serve it f

ily of dead Amalon were forbidden by Gontran, on pain of extinction, to molest further either parents or daughter, and soon, aroun

tno

Barante

ult's "Bertille" Feui