in the general thanksgiving for their return, all traces of agitation had disappeared from the countenance of Adela. Relieved from his jealous fears, Count Stephen basked in the sunshine of her smiles, and protracted his stay during the festivities consequent upon the affiancing of Constance with Alan, Count of Bretagne. The young bride was dow-ered with the lands of Chester, once the possession of the unfortunate Earl Edwin. And William, at the same time, accorded his approbation to the love of Stephen and Adela. Every heart seemed filled with gaiety. Entertainment succeeded entertainment. The days were occupied with joustings, hunting, hawking, feats of archery and tourna-ments ; the evenings were spent in games of hazard, or whiled away in listening to the wondrous tales of Ingulfus. • CHAPTER VII. "Some upon penance for their sins, In person, or by attorney ; And some who were or had been sick; And some who thought to cheat Old Nick ; And some who liked the journey ; And the staff was bored and drilled for those Who on a flute could play ; And thus the merry Pilgrim had His music on the way." SOUTHET. " ON my return to Caen with the remains of my dear lady Agatha," said Ingulfus, " I abandoned all thoughts of pilgrimage, till learning that the clergy of Germany had determined upon a visit to the Holy Land, the desire to worship at the tomb of the Saviour, returned again so strong upon me, that I was induced to unite with a Norman troop, which joined the company of the archbishop at Hentz. "We were a goodly band," continued he, " out of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, of the Latin world—and heaven that moved us to this expiation of our sins, opened before 48 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.