the one will find solace in counting over his feathers and fringes, and the other in cuffing his lacquey till his valour be redeemed in his own opinion."

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Marry, thou guessest well; they are confirmed in their resolve to pursue and redeem the lady Isabelle, who hath disappeared none knows how, save that the story that a spirit must be her bridegroom, hath gained much ground-I heard it long ago; but De Verac hath, in truth, returned to provide fair array on the quest, and Semonville to cuff his squire for misleading on their way:- for Sir Paladour (who rode here for aid to bear the body of Amirald from the field,)—when he heard that the lady Isabelle hath not yet been heard of, he made a vow that he would never return without tidings of her, and rode sadly away, scorning counsel or aidance, though such was the plight of steed and rider that I fear he will not lightly redeem his pledge."

"Now, by the faith and fame of chivalry, done like an enamoured knight and a valorous!--And the lady Isabelle not heard of?

this storm blows from all points. Ah, gallant Paladour thou hadst not gone alone on thy perilous quest, had Amirald's foot held the stirrup still-Amirald," cried the veteran, his stout heart melting within him, and the tears falling fast over his hoary beard-" Amirald, brave and gentle boy, whose heart was as bold as thy favour was gracious, a blight came on a goodly spring when thou wast laid lowthese white hairs had been a fitter crop for the grave than thy bright locks of youthwould God I had died for thee, Amirald, my son !"

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"Worthy knight," said the abbot, you have indeed cause to mourn for that youthand the rather, as at your advanced years the loss must needs be irreparable; youth soon supplies its losses, but this misfortune hath befallen you when your body is enfeebled, your intellectuals weakened, your valour declining, your—”

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"Beshrew thee for a comforter," interrupted the knight. What, talkest thou of age? all mine ancestors were grey in their youth, and

your whoreson rheum is a villainous decayer of the teeth, and wrinkles come a man knows not how or why; but, bating these, what trace, what feature, what semblable proof of age canst thou quote in me? But I see how it is even with thee, thy understanding must be marvellously beclouded, or thou hadst not talked so long without a remnant of false Latin vilely applied. But what uproar have we here? does Hell keep holiday, or are the Albigeois broke loose again?"

The tumult arose from a difference between Verac and Semonville, who were each carrying matters to an extremity that threatened a dissolution of their brothership in arms, as hasty and motiveless as its commencement. On the intelligence that Sir Paladour had set forth, spite of his wounds and weariness, in quest of the lady Isabelle, they had instantly adopted a similar resolution, being no wise deficient in courage, or in that amorous devotion which was the character of the age; nor in that spirit of emulation with a distinguished rival, which is the character of every age.

But though they agreed in their object, they differed widely about the means of pursuing it; Semonville insisting on setting forth instantly, after first giving due correction to Paladour's squire, who had led them astray on their path--and Verac, with equal tenacity, refusing to join in the expedition till certain costly garments he possessed, were well secured in his mails and sure to follow him as he ventured forth in quest of the lady" for," as he internally said, "the fairest lady on earth may take her chance for thraldom or liberation ere I appear before her but in attire worthy of myself." The noise of their conflict had already reached the hall, where Sir Aymer and the Abbot of Normoutier, the former in spite of medical prohibition, and the latter in defiance of ecclesiastical rule, were, amid their differences on other points, completely agreed in draining every flaggon on the board, when the parties rushed before them, with an appeal for their counsel -Semonville dragging in the false guide (as he termed him), and Verac calling all the

saints to witness, that never was lady delivered to her own satisfaction, to that of her champion and of Christendom at large, unless he were suitably arrayed for the enterprise.

The decision of those to whom they appealed, was suspended by the sound of a numerous train, unannounced by horn or herald, approaching the hall. This party had arrived late, no trumpet was blown in their van, no name or style proclaimed by harbinger; the warders hesitated whether to lower the drawbridge, and demanded whom they were to admit ? "The corse of Simon de Montfort," exclaimed a female voice; "lower your drawbridge on the instantthe palace of King Philip might be proud to receive such guest." The drawbridge was lowered, the train admitted, and the Countess de Montfort, who had arrived too late for the conflict of the Crusaders, but had instantly set forth to seek for her husband's body, appeared preceding the litter on which the body of the champion of the Church, "gored with many a ghastly wound," was extended.