Blanchefleur

Be well assured that never thus could you come to Blanchefleur in her flowery meads; rather would you be sent to dwell in eternal grief and pain with Pyramus and Thisbe, who for a like offence were condemned to seek forever the comfort that they shall never find in love: take heart, therefore, my child, for I have skill to call your Blanchefleur back to life. '

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

'Sir,' said the boatman, 'truly I know of an inn to suit your purpose, but the cause which moved me to ask your journey's purpose is, that not long ago we ferried across this river a maiden who resembled you in form and sadness, and by the people with her she was called Blanchefleur; this Blanchefleur was the fairest creature ever seen; and in my own house she told me that she was loved by a heathen prince, and because of him had been sold away into distant lands.'

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

'Where,' again asked the Admiral, 'is Blanchefleur?'

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

Clarissa, 'replied the mournful, drooping Blanchefleur,' my heart is too heavy to be cheered by flowers, seeing that I am so far from my love and he from me. '

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

Admiral proclaimed a great festival, and in pomp and splendour led to church Clarissa, daughter of the Duke of Alemannia, and there took her as his one and only wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, to his life's end: in the same church also and at the same time were Fleur and Blanchefleur united in holy wedlock.

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

'My Lord,' said Fleur to the Admiral, 'being guilty I am prepared to die, but spare my Blanchefleur, for she is innocent, seeing that without her knowledge I came within your Tower.'

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

One morning Clarissa woke to find the sun already high in the heavens; so, running in to Blanchefleur, she bade her too arise, as it was late, and full time that both were in attendance on their Lord.

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

At these tidings Fleur rejoiced; but, fearing for his life, he let drop no word of seeking Blanchefleur.

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

Blanchefleur to the women's tower, appointing twenty-five maidens for her service and solace, seeing that she was ere long to be crowned Queen of Babylon.

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton

Now as the chambers of these two maidens adjoined, and a door led from the one into the other, Clarissa with care closed her outer door and passed through the inner one into the chamber of Blanchefleur, whom she found sitting all woebegone and rapt in thought of her absent love.

Fleur and Blanchefleur Mrs. Leighton