extorted as the importance of the prize might lead the cupidity of the captors to expect. Such events were of constant occurrence, and excited no surprise at a period when every house was a fortressevery dispute a battle; where right was might, and might only maintained by the sword.

Having in a short time partially reco vered her spirits, Rosamond was totally without fear upon her own account; and Sir Ranulph, who could not divest himself of a certain uneasiness, was not a little chagrined when in passing before the Abbey of Severnstoke, she declared her resolution of pausing in order to hold communication with its prior, Father Thomas. The delay might be of consequence; the abbey was at the other side of the river; and to cross, and await the leisure of a functionary so engaged as the prior generally was, might be the work of several hours. Besides which Rosamond and her female attendants, not being permitted access to the monastery, must remain without the walls. Ranulph gently urged a remonstrance; but so earnest was the

appeal of Rosamond, and so impressed did she appear with the idea of the ingratitude it would show towards one who had befriended her were she to leave the convent under his charge without apprizing him of it, that at length Sir Ranulph gave way, and it was decided that a messenger should be dispatched to the abbey. Rosamond wrote a few words upon her tablets, and one of the men-at-arms was sent, with orders to rejoin the party before nightfall; and then, to his infinite satisfaction, Rosamond consented to ride briskly forward.

The exercise and the air served much to restore her spirits; and the constant gabble of Jacqueline, who, riding between the two Saxon serving-maids, Marian and Maud, was talking much faster than her knowledge of the English language could warrant, more than once provoked a smile from her.

Jacqueline was like a bird released from its cage, and preferred talking as she could to those who at least tried to answer her: for it was impossible to extract a word from old Adam Henred. He could speak French perfectly, but he did not choose to talk;

he was one of those rare persons who content themselves with doing as they are desired. He had been sent to deliver presents at the convent, and escort his young mistress home. The first order he had fulfilled, and now applied himself to accomplish the second, by riding bolt upright behind Rosamond, his wand of office in one hand, while with the other he guided his own steed and one of the sumpterhorses, now delivered of its burden. And so Jacqueline had no chance of conversation save with the damsels, Marian and Maud, and a merry group they formed; for Jacqueline, though not young, and with a complexion like tanned leather, was as gay and buoyant as a child.

The party halted for the night at a small hamlet; and before break of day were again on horseback ;—and yet the whole distance between Clifford Castle and Clairvaux did not exceed thirty miles such however was the state of the road, or rather country, that to advance more rapidly was impossible. In very few places could a beaten track be discovered, and much time was consumed in the travellers being forced

constantly to retrace their steps to avoid a morass, river, or some other impediment equally difficult to surmount. The way

lay almost entirely through thick woods of oak and beach, intersected with common land, overgrown with furze: not a peasant's hut, not a dwelling was to be seen from the hamlet where they had passed the night, until they came within view of Clifford Castle; and then with what joy did Rosamond, as she drew near her home, recognise more than one well-known object!

The castle rose proudly on a considerable eminence above the river Wye, and with its high square tower, and many turrets and walls, afforded every appearance of strength. A small village clustered at its foot; no other habitation was visible, though the silver windings of the river might be traced for many miles as it showed itself, then disappeared among the wood-covered hills. Solitary in its grandeur stood the dwelling of each feudal chief; and happy was he who could count with any certainty upon the fidelity of those by whom he was surrounded. Fierce dissensions generally reigned within the

castle walls; for each baron being forced, by his tenure, to furnish to the King a certain number of men, both archers and men-at-arms, often found himself obliged to make up this number by hiring foreign soldiers, who, with their captain, took service for forty days at a time, and were the cause of endless jealousies and quarrels in a household where Saxon and Norman constantly struggled for supremacy.

The castle of the Lord de Clifford was not free from this scourge: but his rule, though not of blood, was one of iron; and his strong hand guided what his will ordained. Added to this, he was generous as well as rich; therefore, Walter Lord de Clifford was more beloved and respected by his dependents than most of the Norman lords, whose tyranny and rapacity were equally dreaded and abhorred.

But now the noble head of this ancient house lay sick upon his couch. A fever, brought on by the sufferings he had endured in Palestine, had wasted his strength. Unable to bear his armour, or mount his war-steed, the occupation of life seemed to him to have suddenly closed;