TILT A I/OUTRANCE. 55 



at the castle of Argentan. There are many noble lords of high 

 degree there at present, whose entertainments you might happily 

 enjoy yourself, in the absence of the Sire de Carrouges, instead of 

 remaining alone in this dull castle ; for never was there yet seen so 

 fair a flower of beauty!' So saying, he half-opened his casque, and 

 seizing my hand, he imprinted on it so rude a kiss that it seemed like 

 the stamp of a hot iron. He then addressed me in language to which 

 I disdained to listen, perceiving the baseness of his purpose. I 

 endeavoured to escape from the lonely and desolate turret, under the 

 pretext of calling for lights, for it had become quite dark ; but the 



traitor seized me with violence, and ' ' Enough, woman !' cried 



the Sire de Carrouges, maddened by rage, and striding furiously 

 across the chamber. ' Enough ! tell me the name of this false villain, 

 for if the truth be as you say, I pardon you, but his blood shall flow 

 to satisfy my vengeance !' e I saw him but for a short time, and in 

 the dusk/ answered Marie. ' As soon as he had completed my dis- 

 honour, he departed in haste, closing upon me the door of the turret 

 that none might hear my cries ; but I should know him amongst a 

 thousand to be that squire-of-the-body of Comte d'Alen9on whom 

 you pointed out to me at the Passage of Arms of Palaise, and who 

 then for the first time buckled on the golden spurs of knighthood.' 

 ' Jacques Legris?' exclaimed the Sire de Carrouges. ( Himself !' 

 ' Jacques Legris,' repeated the knight, ' is it not enough to have 

 injured me by false reports in the opinion of his lord? Yes, the 

 word is spoken. He shall die !' In such conversation passed the 

 live-long night, the lady continuing to repeat her first asseveration. 



In the morning, the Sire de Carrouges sent letters to his friends 

 and relations, and to all of his lineage, desiring their presence at his 

 castle, where, when they were assembled in the great hall, he de- 

 livered to them the particulars^ of the outrage which his lady had 

 suffered. It was then decided that the complaint should be laid 

 before the Compte'Alen9on, who in his appanage had the right of 

 administering justice to all, high and low ; and such was accordingly 

 done. But the Comte d'Alen9on, who was particularly attached to 1 

 his handsome squire, Jacques Legris, would at first hear nothing of 

 the circumstance, which was resolutely denied by him, expressing at 

 the same time his astonishment at the accusation. The parties then 

 appeared before the Count in his court of justice, and pleaded accord- 

 ing to law, Marie de Thibouville continuing to assert the facts 

 which inculpated Jacques Legris, who, on his part, steadfastly 

 denied the whole adventure. He affirmed that the accusation was 

 utterly false, and that on the day when the act was said to have been 

 committed, he was on service with his lord, whom he had only 

 quitted for two hours, and that it was impossible in so short a time 

 to ride to and fro between Argentan and Capomesnil. To this the 

 Sire de Carrouges made answer, that the time might not have been 

 particularly noted, and recurred to the testimony of his wife, who 

 still maintained her first assertion. On the other side the Count, 

 very much concerned at the accusation, suggested that without 

 doubt the lady must have had a dream or vision. By his power he 

 directed that the proceedings should be quashed, and that the ques- 



