SOUTHEY, Pilgrimage to Waterloo.
Leonard Copeland was in close attendance on the Duke, and could not
give a moment to visit his friends at the Green Serpent, so that
there was no knowing how the presence of the Lady of Heringham
affected him. Duke Charles rode out to meet his bride at the little
town of Damme, and here the more important portions of the betrothal
ceremony took place, after which he rode back alone to the Cour des
Princes, leaving to the bride all the splendour of the entrance.
The monastic orders were to be represented in the procession. The
Grey Sisters thought they had an especial claim, and devised the
presenting a crown of white roses at the gates, and with great
pleasure Grisell contributed the best of Master Lambert's lovely
white Provence roses to complete the garland, which was carried by
the youngest novice, a fair white rosebud herself.
Every one all along the line of the tall old houses was hanging from
window to window rich tapestries of many dyes, often with gold and
silver thread. The trades and guilds had renewed their signs,
banners and pennons hung from every abode entitled to their use,
garlands of bright flowers stretched here and there and everywhere.
All had been in a frenzy of preparation for many days past, and the
final touches began with the first hours of light in the long, summer
morning. To Grisell's great delight, Cuthbert Ridley plodded in at
the hospitable door of the Green Serpent the night before.
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