"Because, glorious Queen, I knew that Frankish warriors never kill young girls. I said to myself: 'Perhaps I may be captured by some baron of Burgundy, a count, or perhaps even a duke, and once I am a slave, if I know myself, I shall become a mistress--because there have been female slaves known--" "To become Queens, like Fredegonde, not so, my little one?" "And why not, if they are pretty!" impudently answered the minx without lowering her eyes before Brunhild, who listened to and contemplated her with a pensive air. "But, alas," Blandine proceeded saying with a half suppressed sigh, "I did not then have the fortune of falling into the hands of a seigneur. An old leude, with long white moustaches and not a bit amorous, had me for his share of the booty, and he immediately after sold me to seigneur Samuel. But perhaps it is not yet too late, and a lucky chance may come my way. But what is this that I am saying!" added Blandine smiling her sweetest at Brunhild, "is it not a great, an unexpected piece of good luck that has brought me to your presence, illustrious Queen?" After a moment's reflection, Brunhild said to the merchant: "Jew, I shall buy one of these two slaves from you." "Illustrious Queen, which of the two do you prefer, Aurelie or Blandine?" "I am not yet decided--leave them at the palace until this evening--they shall be taken to my women's apartment." At a nod from the Queen, Chrotechilde rang the bell; the second old woman again appeared; Brunhild's confidante said to her: "Take these two slaves with you." "Illustrious Queen," said Blandine turning once more to Brunhild, while the Jew was carefully wrapping the devilish girl in her veil. "Queen, choose me, glorious Queen--you will thereby do a good work--I would so much like to stay at court." "Keep still, impudent thing!" said Samuel in a low voice while gently pushing Blandine towards the Queen's bedroom, at the door of which Chrotechilde pointed her finger. "Too much is too much; such familiarities may displease our illustrious sovereign!" The two young girls, one of whom was brimming over with happiness while the other staggered under the weight of her grief, stepped into the Queen's apartment. The Jew humbly bowed before Brunhild, left by the same door that he had entered, and closed behind him the leather curtain that masked the issue to the spiral staircase. Brunhild and her confidante were left alone. CHAPTER II. QUEEN AND CONFIDANTE. "Madam," said Chrotechilde to Brunhild, "for whom do you intend the one of the two female slaves whom you expect to buy?" "You really ask me?" "Yes, madam--" "Chrotechilde, age seems to dull your powers of penetration--perhaps I may have to look for some other confidante." "Madam, please explain yourself--" "I mean to test how far the present dullness that seems to have come over you may go." "Truly, madam, I am at a loss to understand you--"