Айвенго

Chapter 12

           Throughafieldslipperywithblood,andencumberedwithbrokenarmourandthebodiesofslainandwoundedhorses,themarshalsofthelistsagainconductedthevictortothefootofPrinceJohn’sthrone.

           "DisinheritedKnight,"saidPrinceJohn,"sincebythattitleonlyyouwillconsenttobeknowntous,weasecondtimeawardtoyouthehonoursofthistournament,andannouncetoyouyourrighttoclaimandreceivefromthehandsoftheQueenofLoveandBeauty,theChapletofHonourwhichyourvalourhasjustlydeserved."TheKnightbowedlowandgracefully,butreturnednoanswer.

           Whilethetrumpetssounded,whiletheheraldsstrainedtheirvoicesinproclaiminghonourtothebraveandglorytothevictor—whileladieswavedtheirsilkenkerchiefsandembroideredveils,andwhileallranksjoinedinaclamorousshoutofexultation,themarshalsconductedtheDisinheritedKnightacrosstheliststothefootofthatthroneofhonourwhichwasoccupiedbytheLadyRowena.

           Onthelowerstepofthisthronethechampionwasmadetokneeldown.Indeedhiswholeactionsincethefighthadended,seemedrathertohavebeenupontheimpulseofthosearoundhimthanfromhisownfreewill;anditwasobservedthathetotteredastheyguidedhimthesecondtimeacrossthelists.Rowena,descendingfromherstationwithagracefulanddignifiedstep,wasabouttoplacethechapletwhichsheheldinherhanduponthehelmetofthechampion,whenthemarshalsexclaimedwithonevoice,"Itmustnotbethus—hisheadmustbebare."

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