1897-]
But Anne never moved from the chair in which she had seated
herself. Rudolf, seeing that entreaty was useless, drew off his
sword-belt and laid it across a chair. Then he crossed to a cup
board in the wall and opened it. Anne’s eyes followed his every
movement, but she made no remonstrance against his forward
ness. In the cupboard he found some butter, a half loaf of bread
and a bit of broiled pork. These he drew forth and placed upon
the table. Next he brought out two plates and a pair of knives
and forks. Then having placed two chairs he turned to Anne,
and with a low bow, said, —
“ The feast is spread. Come, you shall preside,” at the same
time offering his arm.
Anne pretended neither to see nor to hear, and looked stead
fastly out of the window opposite. Rudolf, nothing daunted,
however, stooped quickly and gathered her in his arms. In vain
did she struggle, for his embrace was like steel, and a moment
later he had deposited her, breathless and blushing, in one of the
chairs at the table. Then with much dignity he took the other.
“Thou’rt very rude, Sir Rudolf,” pouted the lass, ‘‘to take
such unseemly advantage of a forlorn maiden. Is that the
gallantry of thy country?”
“ Nay, be fair, Mistress Anne. You would not come willingly,
even though I asked you in the politest manner I knew how. I
humbly crave your pardon.”
“ ’Tis granted. But I shall not eat with thee. ‘Thou oanst
drive a horse to water but thou canst not make him drink, ’ ’ ’
quoted Anne.
Rudolf sprang to his feet.
‘‘Ah, I forgot,” he cried, —
Anne?”
The remembrance of his sorry plight at the window sent her
into a paroxysm of laughter.
“ Methinks thou mayest find some in thy doublet,” she said,
still laughing.
‘‘lndeed, that I might,” he replied,'somewhat nettled at the
manner in which she had turned the laugh on him. “ But I want
the pail,” he continued.
“ Oh,” she answered innocently, “ that stands just outside the
door. ’'
Rudolf took two tumblers from the shelf and stepped outside,
returning in a moment, having each filled with clear water.
“To the Victor .”
“ the water. Where is it, Mistress