The Princess of Ponthieu (in) The New-York Weekly Magazine or Miscellaneous Repository

In a glittering court of late‑medieval France, the widowed Count de Ponthieu rules a vast domain with the grandeur of a sovereign. His only child, a princess celebrated for wit and beauty, draws the most daring cavaliers to his halls. When a young noble, Thibault, triumphs in a tournament, the count invites him to stay, hoping the man’s skill will bolster his defenses. The princess, intrigued by his courage, finds herself quietly captivated.

Thibault, aware of his modest fortune, masks his growing love for the princess behind a vow of silence, letting only glances convey the depth of his feeling. As wars loom and the count’s borders are threatened, the young cavalier proves his worth on the battlefield, earning the admiration of both lord and people. Rewarded with generous offers, he instead asks for a far more daring favor—permission to become the princess’s knight and devote himself to her. The count, bound by honor, agrees to consider the request.