The party
were standing together, laughing, some moderately, others
immoderately.
'What is the matter?' asked Helen.
'I do not know,' said Elizabeth, 'unless Rupert is hallooing because
he is out of the wood.'
'Wait till you have heard my reasons unfolded,' said Rupert; 'did you
never hear how this celebrated fortress came by its name?'
'Never,' said several voices.
'Then listen, listen, ladies all,' said Rupert. 'You must know that
once upon a time there was a most beautiful princess, who lived in a
splendid castle, where she received all kinds of company. Well, one
day, there arrived an old grim palmer, just like the picture of
Hopeful, in the Pilgrim's Progress, with a fine striped cockle-shell
sticking upright in his hat-band. Well, the cockle-shell tickled the
Princess's fancy very much, and she made her pet knight (for she had
as many suitors as Penelope) promise that he would steal it from him
that very night. So at the witching hour of midnight, the knight
approached the palmer's couch, and gently abstracted the cockle hat
and staff, placing in their stead, the jester's cap and bells, and
bauble.
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