month seen thus accoutred, received him with shouts of gladness, and testified their willingness to follow him.

Aware of the advantage which assailants obtain by a sudden attack upon an unexpecting foe, he ordered the portcullis to be quickly drawn up; and then galloping over the drawbridge at full speed, soon found himself in the midst of an enemy who little anticipated such an interruption to their labours.

The Chevalier de Laval, who well knew of de Maunay's illness, and that there was no one in the fortress capable of taking his place, except Gaultier, with whom his father was then at variance, had looked upon Bavay as a certain prey: yet, aware that such family dissensions were liable to be made up at any time, he pressed on the operations with all the vigour and celerity he could exert; and for this purpose had assembled the flower of his forces, to make an attack on one particular point of the citadel, in which, in fact, a breach was very nearly effected, and around which the soldiery was so busily employed, that Gaultier's approach was not per

ceived until he had arrived in the very midst of them.

a cry,

"Surprise at this unexpected sortie, at first flung the enemy into confusion, and made them give way. But they quickly rallied; and Gaultier being recognised by some of them, his presence then was soon known to the others, and "It is the Damoyseau-it is the Damoyseau himself, let us capture him!" resounded throughout the ranks, and each was anxious to have the credit of making him a prisoner. They crowded towards the spot where he was,-three of them, speedier or more adventurous than the rest, had already reached him, and were attempting to stay his farther progress; but he shook them off, and perceiving de Laval at some distance thence, he couched his lance, made towards the place, and by a single thrust, in which perhaps good fortune had as much to do as dexterity, unhorsed him; then dismounting, he seized the nasal of his helmet, and dragged him, amidst the acclamations of his vassals, towards the castle.

CHAPTER XI.

ARRIVED at the castle, Gaultier found his father waiting for him in the yard. Almost breathless with exertion, he addressed him, and presented his prisoner.

"Sire," he said, "Heaven hath been propitious to us. Behold the enemy who, for the last three years, hath given you so much turmoil!"

"Ah!" replied de Mauny, transported beyond himself at perceiving he was thus, at one blow, delivered from a danger which had so long menaced him-"Ah, my dear, dear child, it is thus that a Damoyseau of thy time of life, and station in it, should bear him. These are the

trophies he should ambition,-these the actions which should employ his time,-these the occupations which ought to engage his thoughts.— Now-now-am I really, truly, proud of thee; and thy mother! how rejoiced she'll be to see thee! Oh Gaultier, Gaultier,- my son! how far more noble is it to obtain such honours in the field, against the enemies of thy family, than to sit puling at home in thine own chamber, tormenting thy poor old father with love-sick tales."

Gaultier started, and the colour fled his check, as he heard these last words pronounced; for he feared they might be but a prelude to a refusal to fulfil the promise which had been given.

"Sire," he tremulously replied,—" you give me much praise for performing a little matter. In ridding you of an enemy, I did only that which both duty and mine own interest prompted. But, you promised-"

"Nay, nay, my dear Gaultier, thou need'st

done it gloriously, and like a scion of our noble House of Mauny.-I'm proud of thee, my son; and I will thank thee for it, spite of thy shamefacedness: and thy mother, too, shall thank thee, --and all our vassals do thee honour ;-and we'll have fêtes, and-"

"But, Sire!-Father!"-interrupted Gaultier, as the old Lord was thus running on,-“ I come to claim the promise which you lately gave me."

"Promise!"-answered de Mauny, thoughtfully placing a forefinger on his temple,-" Promise!-what promise speakest thou of, dear Gaultier?-I do remember none.-Ay, yes, yes, true! I did, in good sooth promise—well—I'll perform it to its fullest: not only that, I'll e'en go further than my word,-further, perhaps, than even thy desires. Thou shalt have choice of all the destriers in my stalls; nay, thou shalt take them all, and so it please thee, boy. If thou❜lt but have the grace to leave my favourite bay to amble on, I'll be content; for know, Gaultier, thou hast now shown thyself so much a man, that I intend to give the management of