next to the place occupied by Rosamond, stood William de Montford and Henry de Castro; both celebrated for their marvellous skill in hunting, and thorough knowledge of the science.

As near to these as he could possibly contrive to post himself, Gaultier de St. Clair undauntedly occupied a prominent place; his large lustrous eyes were fixed upon the face of Rosamond, and ever and anon wandered towards those of Sir Ranulph de Broc, with whom he seemed to make common cause; and who, standing a little in the rear, appeared to take but small interest in the coming sport, conversing in a low tone with the seneschal of the palace, and several officers of the Court who were in attendance upon their royal master.

The lower gallery was completely filled by other guests from the castle; but, as it receded a little more than the one occupied by the King, the royal party was not visible from it, and enjoyed all the comforts of privacy.

It was curious to see the depth of interest with which every one regarded the smallest incident connected with the

sport. The ceremony of of adjusting the quiver was performed with a gravity almost ludicrous; and the twang of the bow-string as it was tried, sent a thrill through its hearers like a well-loved and remembered sound. Then all the archers, having thoroughly tested the fitness of their weapons, stood with their long-bows resting upon one end, and supported by the left-hand, with the right placed upon the edge of the quiver, and their looks fixed upon the face of the King, who was to give the signal for commencing the sport. Glancing his bright eye down the line of anxious faces, Henry slowly raised the bugle he wore suspended to a small gold chain; but ere he put it to his lips, he said aloud,—

"In honour to the fair Rosamond, who has deigned to grace our sport to-day, and whose skill in archery is only equalled by her grace, the first shot shall be her's. Lady, I pray you therefore to make ready the bow you hold, for I doubt not many a goodly head of game will be found in your noble father's woods."

At these words Rosamond, blushing deeply at such public homage (for to shoot

at all until the King was weary of the sport was always forbidden), raised her bow to a level with her breast, and placing an arrow upon the string, awaited the signal. A sharp note from the bugle of the monarch was answered by three long-drawn sounds from a distance; and soon the baying of a hound, and the sound of many voices, announced that the huntsmen had entered the inclosed coverts. In another instant a herd of deer showed themselves at the edge of the wood, but instantly retreated; and two sharp notes from a forester's bugle had scarcely told the cause of their retreat, when a grisly wolf* was seen trotting down the glade, and an arrow from the unerring bow of Rosamond, was followed by a howl, which to a keen lover of the sport like her, was much more welcome than the buzz of admiration which followed her exploit.

"Well done!—a splendid shot!" cried Henry, withdrawing his eyes for a moment from the wood, to turn them with a smile upon Rosamond.

Several large red deer now bounded

In 1281 these animals infested several of the English counties-Chambers' Cyclopædia, edition of Dr. Rees.

past, more than one of which fell by the arrows of the King; who, as if contented with his share of the sport, desired those nearest him to show their skill, while he stood for a few minutes idly leaning upon his bow, but watching in particular every performance of Becket, who shot with a calmness and precision which did not fail to elicit his surprise and admiration. And soon, as the sport increased, the shooting became more general; for Henry, whose bonhomie constantly overcame the sense of etiquette, was equally anxious for the amusement of all, and gave his orders with a rapidity only equalled by the immense supply of game which was driven from the coverts, demonstrating the care and attention with which the forest laws were enforced. Every description of game was there, from the wild-boar and the wolf to the rabbit and the hare.

In a short time the whole space before the stand was completely covered with the sports of the day; and when the King gave the signal to cease, such had been the slaughter, that the huntsmen as they wended their way through the dead

and dying animals, could scarcely find a vacant space on which to tread. While some were employed in collecting the game and stowing it into paniers, in order to remove it to the castle, others busied themselves in gathering up the scattered arrows, and returning them to their owners.

Meanwhile the King, descending from the stand, seated himself with all his train beneath the spreading trees, where a sumptuous breakfast had been prepared. A large awning of cloth was stretched upon poles, to keep out any stray sunbeam that might chance to intrude, and stools, covered with velvet cushions, were ranged beneath the shelter, while a host of cooks from the castle surrounded the blazing fires that had been kindled upon the heath, and busily prepared the morning meal.

Not long, however, was the duration of this sylvan repast; for Henry, whose sobriety in eating and drinking might have set a bright example to his Norman followers, who were remarkable for the opposite qualities, soon broke up the feast, to their infinite vexation; and so rapid were his movements, that it wanted yet some