commit the arrangements to one of greater pnobity* The keen eye of Plantagenet soon discovered that this game possessed an interest for Iiis fair rival far beyond the. preceding ones, and in doubt whether it arose from her anxiety to gain his hand, or from her desire delicately to assure him that he conld never win her heart, he suffered himself to be beaten. The result only increased his per-plexity ; for the princess, though evidently elated by her success, seriously proposed to relinquish her claim upon his hand, in consideration of the ring that glittered upon his finger. Too much interested any longer to regard the game, Richard pushed aside the chess-board, and fixing his eyes upon her, inquired, " Wherefore wouldst thou the ring ?" The princess more than ever embarrassed by the serious-ness of his voice and manner, stammered forth, "The jewel is a charm." "True," said Richard, with unaffected warmth, " Berengaria's gifts are all charms." " Nay, nay!" said she, with uncontrollable trepidation, "I mean —I mean—it is a fatal possession."—"Of which I am a, most undoubted witness," interrupted he, "since by its in-fluence I have lost my head, my heart and my hand." " Have done with this idle-jesting, and listen to me," said: Berengaria, earnestly. " It will thwart thy dearest wish,, and betray thee to thy direst foe." " None but Berengaria, can thwart my dearest wish," said Richard, steadily re-garding her, " and from my direst foe," he added, with a gesture of defiance, " this good right arm is a sufficient defence." Tears shone in Berengaria's eyes, and she add-ed, " Why wilt thou misunderstand me ? I tell thee it will break thy troth." " Our Lady grant it," responded he,, with a shout of exultation. " Since the day I first received: it, I have not ceased to importune King Henry to cancel my engagement with Alice of France." The baffled prin-cess having no further resource burst into tears. " Nay, weep not, my sweetest Berengaria," said Richard, tenderly, " the gem is indeed a talisman, since by its aid only have I been able to discover the treasure thou hadst so effectually BKREXGARIA OF NAVARRE. 217