302 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND. [v1.

me strangely. Christina was my only comfort, for
Rudolf was not confident enough with me, or perhaps
not fond enough of me, to play the part of consoler.
‘It was during this period of mourning that your
compatriot came amongst us. Sir Smith the Eng-
lander, we called him. You had some internal wars
going onamong yourselves at thattime. So, at least,
I gathered from his conversation. Your king had an
enemy which was called Parliament, and as he tried
to persuade and cajole his enemics instead of cutting
off their heads, as I should have done, he naturally
lost his own. I remember Sir Smith and I used often
to talk over the matter, for he had fought, had Sir
Smith, for the king, and had lost home and lands
when the cause failed; thus it was he came to us.
Far and wide had he wandered in search of adventure,
until he came inte our country, and heard (as who
had not heard?) of the Red Baron. He was in-
stantly seized with an uncontrollable desire to make
my acquaintance. Thunder and lightning! ¢hat was
not difficult to do, and he took the right way, too.
One day, when we were hunting the wolf in the
great forest which you passed some two miles beyond
the village, we suddenly perceived a stranger amongst
us. He bore him right gallantly in the chase, and
when one monster of a wolf was at bay, he it was
who outstripped our lazy knaves and slew the beast
with his own hand in a manner which mightily
pleased me. So instead of killing him, as I should
most likely have served a stranger whom I did not
fancy, I took to Sir Smith very kindly, brought him
home with me and established him in the castle. He