t The conscious Eva looked imploringly at her mistress, who graciously accorded her permission to depart, while Edward continued his raillery. " I referred the gallant unto thee, love," said he, " for he must be a brave man who dares transfer the possessions of his wife." "To the marriage of de Courtenay with our beautiful ward," returned the queen, " there riseth but one objection. From the similarity of her name, she ever fancied herself the heiress of the former King of Leinster, and hath culti-vated a taste for decorations befitting royalty. I fear me that Sir Henry, being but the younger branch of his house, will scarce be able to maintain a state suited to her desires." " God grant she have not the ambition of Earl Strignl, * else might we find it necessary to do battle for our fief of Ireland," said Edward. " Nay, from the ambition of Eva, thou hast nought to fear ; her heart would incline her rather to bestow benefi-ces upon her friends, than to hoard treasures for herself. Therefore it is that I desire for her worthy alliance and princely dower," returned the queen. " Thou hast it in thy power, best one, to obviate thine own objections and to bless the loyal hamlet that protected thy seclusion, by giving them so gracious a mistress." Tears of gratitude filled the eyes of the queen, as looking affectionately upon her husband she replied, " How lost were Eleanora to the love of God did she not daily thank Him for making her the wife of one who finds his own hap-piness in promoting the welfare of his subjects." "Not all his subjects regard him with thy partial fond-ness," said the king. " Our brother, Alexander of Scot-land, has refused to renew the oath of homage, which his ancestor made to Henry II. for his crown, and will attend our coronation only as kingly guest ; while the bold Llewel-lyn refuses to set foot in London." " The troublous period through which the realm'so lately passed, pleads their best excuse for these unjust suspicions/ suggested the queen. " When the wisdom and magnanin ELEANORA. 403