" Thy brother, Robert," replied Stephen, " vouchsafed to escort me with twenty lances to the town of mantes—but when we reached the banks of Eure, we found the bridges swept away, and the fords rendered impassable by the swollen waters. A band of pilgrims were encamped upon the other side, and at the sight of the Norman pennon, they sent forth a piteous cry for aid. We swam our steeds across the turgid stream, and each horseman mounting a palmer behind him, we brought them safely over. And what was my joy to find I had thus rendered some slight service to Ingulfus, the early tutor of my loved Adela." " Our lady be praised, the good Ingulfus has returned. His pupil then shall thank his benefactor as she ought." " He is wayworn and weary," pursued Stephen, " much toil hath he had in his long pilgrimage, and precious are the relics he has brought from Palestine. I craved from his gratitude a portion of the holy dust, for thy oratory. Should danger threaten the unworthy Stephen, the prayers of Adela, at such a shrine, would doubtless avail for his protection." The princess started, and the color fluctuated on her cheek, as with a look of surprise and recognition she re-garded the beautiful crystal urn, with its amethystine en-tablature, on which were engraven the names of Adela and Stephen. " Dost reject my gift, or hath some sudden illness seized thee ?" said her lover, anxiously, remarking her strange emotion. " A silly dream—a passing faintness," said Adela, con-vulsively grasping the urn, and pressing her pale lips upon the inscription. "The hour wears late, to-morrow we will meet again." The young count imprinted a kiss upon her cold brow, and supporting her trembling steps to the antechamber, consigned her to the care of her attendants. When the lovers met the following morning in the chapel to which all the inhabitants of the city repaired, to see the high altar decked with the palms of the pilgrims, and join ADELA. 47