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for the climactic campaign. With a flotilla of a thousand ships I overwhelm
Troicinet, and the Elder Isles are once more a single kingdom, with the Duke
of Vale Evander, now Duke of South Ulfland."
"It is a pretty concept; and, I would think, feasible. My own ambitions are
not affected; indeed I am content with Vale Evander. I have yearnings of quite
a different sort. In all candor, I have become enamored of the Princess
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Suldrun. I find her the most beautiful of living creatures. Would you consider
me presumptuous if I asked her hand in marriage?"
"I would consider it a most suitable and auspicious match."
"I am happy to hear your approval. What of Princess Suldrun? She has allowed
me no conspicuous favor."
"She is somewhat fanciful. I will have a word with her. Tomorrow you and she
shall take your betrothal vows in a ceremonial rite, and nuptials will follow
in due course."
"This is a joyful prospect, for myself and, so I hope, the Princess Suldrun as
well."
Late in the afternoon the royal carriage returned to Haidion, with King
Casmir, Queen Sollace and Princess Suldrun. Riding on horseback beside were
Carfilhiot and young Prince Cassander.
King Casmir spoke to Suldrun in a ponderous voice: "Today I have conferred
with Duke Carfilhiot, and he declares himself enamored of you. The match is
advantageous and I agreed to your betrothal."
Suldrun stared aghast, her worst apprehensions realized. Finally she found her
tongue. "Sir, can you not believe me? I want no marriage now, least of all to
Carfilhiot! He does not suit me at all!"
King Casmir brought the full impact of his round-eyed blue gaze to bear on
Suldrun. "This is niminy-piminy petulance; I will not hear of it. Carfilhiot
is a noble and handsome man! Your qualms are over-nice. Tomorrow at noon you
will pledge troth with Carfilhiot. In three months you shall marry. There is
no more to be said."
Suldrun subsided into the cushions. The carriage rumbled along the road,
swaying on springs of layered hornbeam. Poplars beside the road passed in
front of the sun. Through tears Suldrun watched lights and shadows playing
across her father's face. In a soft broken voice she essayed a final plea:
"Father, do not force this marriage on me!"
King Casmir listened stolidly, and turning his face away, made no reply.
In anguish Suldrun looked to her mother for support, but saw only waxen
dislike. Queen Sollace said tartly: "You are marriageable, as anyone with eyes
can see. It is time you were away from Haidion. With your vapors and vagaries
you have brought us no joy."
King Casmir spoke. "As a princess of Lyonesse you know neither toil nor care.
You dress in soft silk and enjoy luxuries beyond the hopes of ordinary women.
As a princess of Lyonesse you also must bend to the dictates of policy, even
as I. The marriage will proceed. Have done with this petty diffidence and
approach Duke Carfilhiot with amiability. I will hear no more on the subject."
Upon arrival at Haidion, Suldrun went directly to her chambers. An hour later,
Lady Desdea found her staring into the fire.
"Come now," said Lady Desdea. "Moping causes the flesh to sag and yellows the
skin. Be of good cheer then! The king desires your presence at the evening
meal, in an hour's time."
"1 prefer not to go."
"Still, you must! The king has given his order. So hey nonny no! To supper we
shall go. You shall wear the dark green velvet which becomes you so that every
other woman looks a dead fish. Were I younger I would gnash my teeth for
jealousy. I cannot understand why you sulk."
"I have no taste for Duke Carfilhiot."
"Tush. In marriage all things alter. You may come to dote on him; then you
will laugh to think of your foolish whims. Now then off with your clothes!
Heigh ho! Think how it will be when Duke Carfilhiot gives the command! Sosia!
Where is that flibbet of a maid? Sosia! Brush the princess's hair, a hundred
strokes to either side. Tonight it must glisten like a river of gold!"
At the supper Suldrun tried to achieve an impersonal manner. She tasted a
morsel of stewed pigeon; she drank half a glass of pale wine. When remarks
were addressed to her she responded politely, but clearly her thoughts were
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elsewhere. Once, looking up, she met Carfilhiot's gaze, and for a moment
stared into his lambent eyes like a fascinated bird.
She shifted her gaze and broodingly studied her plate. Carfilhiot was
undeniably gallant, brave and handsome: Why then her antipathy? She knew her
instincts to be accurate. Carfilhiot was involuted; his mind teemed with
strange rancors and peculiar inclinations. Words entered her mind as if from [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]