cruel skill upon the too susceptible hearts of the cavaliers that came in the train of the bridegroom. The parlia-ment of Love deliberated day by day in mock solemnity upon the pretensions of the fair rivals, and the discreet de-cisions of Eleanor, the presiding genius of the conclave, in-spired the songs of Trouvères and Troubadours, who vied with each other in celebrating her charms. A succession of long, bright days, closed the month of July, and on the last evening the court of Love continued its session till the brilliant twilight had faded from the western 6ky, and the mellow harvest-moon poured a silver flood upon fountains that sprang as if instinct with life to catch and fling the shining radiance upon the gay company that still lingered in the Rose Pavilion. The Queen of the court, attired like Venus, sat upon a throne, canopied with Acaeia, through whose trembling leaves the light fell play-fully contending with the envious shadows that seemed striving to hide her smiles. At her feet sat her favorite page, with wings framed of gauze attached to his shoulders, holding a lyre, fashioned to resemble the bow of Cupid, upon which he occasionally struck a few notes to announce a change in the evening's entertainment. Lovely maidens arrayed as Nymphs and Graces reclined upon verdant couches around the fair arbitress of these amorous debates. Groups of light-hearted girls, representing heathen god-desses, listened encouragingly to their favorite minstrels, and strove, by various subtle arts, to win the meed of praise to the verse that celebrated their charms. Sirventes and Chansons had been recited and sung, still the assembly lis-tened with an air of impatience, as if anticipating matters of more general interest. With a smile that at once excit-ed and baffled curiosity, the Queen touched the cheek of her page with her flowery sceptre, saying, " Why slumbers the harp of my pretty Peyrol ? Has he no song for the ear of his lady ?" " Peyrol cannot sing in the Romance Walloon," 6aid the youth, casting down his eyes with jealous pique. " Proud one," replied the queen, " thou knowest that ELEANOR. 121