this day the very name of Jerusalem calls up visions bright as the bowers of Eden. Never have I wondered that pil-grims flocked to the Holy Land when they deemed the thousand years of prophecy accomplished, and expected to witness the azure gates unfolding above the holy sep-ulchre, and the Saviour descending upon the Mount of Olives amid all the terrific splendor of the final judg-ment." " Scarce a century since," sighed Maude, " men looked for this heavenly kingdom, and verily believed they found in prophecy the confirmation of their hopes. My grandsire died upon the banks of the Jordan earnestly expecting the corning of his Lord." " There is a flash of spears in the moonbeams," inter-rupted Adela, gazing from the arrow-slit of thé turret. " Seest thou not a troop of horse, winding along the brow of the hill ? Eye and heart alike deceive me if that be not Count Stephen's plume. Methought, ere this, he had reach-ed the borders of Maine. And there is Robert by his side. Our lady grant their coming bode no ill." " They pass beneath the shadow of the castle," said Maude. " They are not all mounted. Those men on foot, in the garb of friars, how wearily they follow, leaning upon their long staves." " They are pilgrims !" exclaimed the maidens with one voice. " Let us descend to welcome them." Prince Henry met them in the corridor. " Count Ste-phen has returned," said he, "and awaits my sister in the tapestry chamber." " Come with me, Beauclerk," said Maude, leading away the young prince. " Thou shalt conduct me to these holy pilgrims." " Adela," said Stephen, kissing the hand of his affianced as she entered, " thou art surprised, but I hope not ill-pleased at this unlooked-for return." " I feared me some mischance had occasioned it," said Adela, " but seeing thee well, I am happy—yet wherefore art thou come?" HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.