VALENTINE AND ORSON

CHAPTER I

EPIN, King of the Franks, hadasister VALEN-
named Bellisance, who was exceed- TINE AND
ingly beautiful, and who was asked ORSON
in marriage by many kings and
princes.

The lady’s choice fell upon Alex-
ander, Emperor of Constantinople,

 

who came to the court of King Pepin to marry
the princess. Great rejoicings took place on the
occasion in all parts of the kingdom; and soon #
after the marriage the emperor took his leave, and

carried his lovely bride in great splendour and
triumph to Constantinople.

peror Alexander’s prime minister was a

Selfish and subtle man; unhappily his influence
with the emperor was very great. This man, ob-
serving the gentleness and sweetness of the Lady
Bellisance, began to fear that she would under-
mine his influence, and he wickedly resolved to
seek the destruction of the innocent empress. The
emperor was of a credulous and suspicious temper,
and the prime minister found means at length to
infuse into his mind Suspicions of the empress.
One day when the emperor was alone, he entered

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