VALEN- then led her out of the dungeon into one of the
TINE AND apartments of the castle, and supplied her with
ORSON food and wine, and attended to all her wants.
They then inquired her name and her story,
when she related to them her whole history, as it
has been already told, from the time of her mar-
riage to the hour when the fierce giant slew her
trusty attendant, and carried her off by force to
the castle. But, when they heard her name, and
that she was sister to King Pepin, they were
beyond measure amazed and overjoyed; for they
had often heard the sad story of the Empress of
Constantinople, and how the emperor, after she
had gone, had discovered the treachery of his
prime minister, and had made long and anxious
search for his wife and children, but in vain.

CHAPTER V

VALENTINE and Orson determined to set out
for the coast of France as soon as the Lady Belli-
sance was able to travel, knowing how overjoyed
the old king would be to see his long-lost sister.
But, before taking their departure, they went to
search for the dwarf, who at last was found in one
of the turrets of the castle, and who immediately
expressed his willingness to serve his deliverer,
now that his cruel master was dead.

They desired him to lead them to the chamber
where the brazen head was kept, which he imme-
diately did. Valentine fixed his eyes upon the
head, anxious to hear what it would say con-
cerning his birth. At length it spake thus: ‘Thou,
O renowned knight, art called Valentine the Brave,
and art the man destined to be the husband of the
Princess Eglantine of France. Thou art son to the
Emperor of Greece, and thy mother is Bellisance,
sister io King Pepin of France. She was unjustly

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