Stranica 66 [66]
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK
dun mare, and let my knights and squires prepare to attend
me."
It was with this brilliant train that the baron alighted at
the door of the golden cottage. He begged Finette’s par¬
don, held the stirrup for her, and seated her behind him
on his own horse, neither more nor less than a duchess in
person. Through respect, he did not speak a single word
to her on the way. On reaching the castle he uncovered
his head and led her to the seat of honor that he had
chosen for her.
The baron’s departure had made a great excitement,
and his return caused still greater surprise. Every one
asked who the lady could be that the baron treated with
such respect. Judging from her costume, she was a for¬
eigner. Could she be the Duchess of Normandy or the Queen
of France? The steward, the bailiff, and the seneschal
were appealed to. The steward trembled, the bailiff turned
pale, and the seneschal blushed, but all three were as mute as
fishes. The silence of these important personages added
to the general wonder.
All eyes were fixed on Finette, who felt a deadly chill at
her heart, for Yvon saw, but did not know her. He cast
an indifferent glance at her, then began again to talk in a
tender tone to the fair-haired lady, who smiled disdainfully.
Finette, in despair, took from the purse the golden bullet,
her last hope. While talking with the baron, who was
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