Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Outlaw of Torn Edgar Rice Burroughs

South of the armory of Westminster Palace lay the gardens, and here, on the third day followingthe King's affront to De Vac, might have been seen a black-haired woman gowned in a violet cyclas, richly embroidered with gold about the yoke and at the bottom of the loose-pointed sleeves, whichreached almost to the similar bordering on the lower hem of the garment. A richly wrought leatherngirdle, studded with precious stones, and held in place by a huge carved buckle of gold, clasped thegarment about her waist so that the upper portion fell outward over the girdle after the manner of ablouse. In the girdle was a long dagger of beautiful workmanship. Dainty sandals encased her feet, while a wimple of violet silk bordered in gold fringe, lay becomingly over her head and shoulders. By her side walked a handsome boy of about three, clad, like his companion, in gay colors. Histiny surcoat of scarlet velvet was rich with embroidery, while beneath was a close-fitting tunic ofwhite silk. His doublet was of scarlet, while his long hose of white were cross-gartered with scarletfrom his tiny sandals to his knees. On the back of his brown curls sat a flat-brimmed, roundcrowned hat in which a single plume of white waved and nodded bravely at each move of the proudlittle head. The child's features were well molded, and his frank, bright eyes gave an expression of boyishgenerosity to a face which otherwise would have been too arrogant and haughty for such a merebaby. As he talked with his companion, little flashes of peremptory authority and dignity, which satstrangely upon one so tiny, caused the young woman at times to turn her head from him that hemight not see the smiles which she could scarce repress. Presently the boy took a ball from his tunic, and, pointing at a little bush near them, said, "Standyou there, Lady Maud, by yonder bush. I would play at toss