Stranica 58 [58]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
“T mean that it shall be at my service,’ returned the
seneschal, sternly. "Rise, vassal! I do you the honor to
marry you, and to take yourself, your person, and your
property under my guardianship.”
“My lord," returned Finette, "this is much too great an
honor for a poor girl like me, a stranger, without friends or
kindred.”
‘Be silent, vassal!" replied the seneschal. "I am your
lord and master; I have nothing to do with your advice.
Sign this paper.”
S My lord,” said Finette, "I don’t know how to write."
" Do you think that I do, either" " returned the seneschal,
in a voice that shook the house. "Do you take me for a
clerk? A cross—that is the signature of gentlemen.”
He made a large cross on the paper, and handed the pen
to Finette.
“Sign,” said he. “If you are afraid to make a cross,
infidel, you pass your own death sentence, and I shall take
on myself to execute it." He drew his heavy sword from
the scabbard as he spoke, and threw it on the table.
For her only answer, Finette leaped out of the window
and ran to the stable. The seneschal pursued her thither,
but, on attempting to enter, an unexpected obstacle stopped
him. The frightened cow had backed at the sight of the
young girl, and stood in the doorway, with Finette clinging
to her horns and making of her a sort of buckler.
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