Robert, reddening, " and thine eyes outdo thy tongue. On the field of Archerabraye I did but wound my father's arm, while one bright shaft from thine eyes has pierced Count Stephen's heart." "Methinks a heart so vulnerable, should be clad in armor," said Adela, reddening in her turn. " Thy woman's wit doth run before my speech and pro-phesy my errand," said Robert. "The Count Stephen, of Blois, bids me entreat the fair Adela to bind him in ring armor, that the friend of Robert may be his brother in arms." " He bids thee !" said Adela, dropping the embroidery. " Is the count, then, in Rouen ?" "Even so, bien amie," replied Robert. "Hast thou not marked a noble figure entering the church at twilight, and emerging at sunrise, his regards bent upon the ground except, perchance, when he steals a glance at my charming sister, accompanying her mother to matins or vespers." " In truth, I marked such a youth," said Adela, blush-ing, " but wherefore frequents he not the court ?" " He holds his vigil of arms till twelfth day," replied Robert, " and the Conqueror has promised, that ere the Yule-clog, as Atheling calls it, has ceased to burn, he will himself lay the accolade of knighthood upon the shoulder of the young count. 'Tis my father's wish that his children assist at the ceremony." "My father's wish!" said Adela, in a tone of deep surprise. " Certes, sweet," replied her brother, " thinkest thou the Conqueror sees not the white flocks that range the green pastures of Blois, that he hears not the sound of the busy looms of Chartres, and loves not the sparkling wine, that flows from the blushing vineyards of Champaigne ?" "Robert, thou hast broken my needle," said Adela, striving confusedly to hide from the penetrating eyes of her brother, the influence which these considerations exercised over her own ambitious heart. " I have broken thy needle of wool, that thou mightst ADELA. 37