thread a finer with floss of silk to embroider the scarf for thy gallant knight," said Kobert. rising to withdraw. Adela followed him to the antechamber, and dismissing the attendants, concerted with him the arrangements for the pageant. Scarcely confessing to herself the sweet hopes that for the first time agitated her bosom, she quitted the joustings and maskings. of the holidays, and passed the festive season in the privacy of her own apartment, where assisted only by the faithful Maude, she wrought upon Tyrian purple the golden lions of Chartres, budded the shining damask with the fleur de lis of Champagne, and sewed the embroidered field azure with the pearly crescent of Blois. The deep tones of the turret clock tolling the mid-night hour broke the stillness that reigned through the castle, just as Adela severed the last silken thread from the embroidery frame, and held up the gorgeous baldric in the light of the lamp before the admiring gaze of her friend. " Hush !" said Maude, placing her finger on Adela's lip to repress a joyous exclamation, " we have a proverb in the north that, ' finished works bring prophetic dreams.'—Hast-en to seek thy pillow, but beware thy glance wander not from yon bright star that even now glimmere through the casement. Breathe not a word while I wreathe the silken Bcarf in the folds of thy canopy, and whisper the mystic charm of the morthwyrtha." "With an incredulous smile Adela obeyed, and dismissing the tire-women, Maude left her to her solitary slumbers. The sun had scarce risen when Maude again entered the apartment. " The visions of the future have visited thy rest," said she, glancing inquiringly at the thoughtful countenance of the princess. "Question me not," replied Adela, "a promise and a fear have bewildered me—coming years can alone explain the mystery." The great hall of the palace was fitted up for a brilliant ceremony. All the knights and nobles, bishops and clergy of Normandy, and the adjacent provinces, arrayed in the 38 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.