Page 41 - Doralice

with calmness and dignity.
Tebaldo, when he learned that the queen had
been adjudged guilty and condemned to a cruel
death, rejoiced greatly, and, as soon as he had
taken leave of the king, left England, quite
satisfied with his work, and returned secretly to
Salerno. Arrived there he told to the old nurse
the whole story of his adventures, and how

Doralice had been sentenced to death by her
husband. As she listened the nurse feigned to be
as pleased as Tebaldo himself, but in her heart
she grieved sorely, overcome by the love which
she had always borne towards the princess, and
the next morning she took horse early and rode
on day and night until she came to Eng land.

Immediately she repaired to the palace and
went before the king, who was giving public
audience in the great hall, and, having thrown
herself at his feet, she demanded an interview
on a matter which concerned the honour of his
crown. The king granted her re quest, and took
her by the hand and bade her rise; then, when
the rest of the company had gone and left them
alone, the nurse thus addressed the king: c Sire,

know that Doralice, your wife, is my child. She
is not, indeed, the fruit of my womb, but I
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