friar's gown and cowl. " I thought myself forgotten by all my father's house." " 'Tis our uncle Henry," said Thibaut, amazed and cha-grined at this transformation of his newly discovered her-mit. " And hast thou then doubted the affection of Adela ?" said his sister. " It were not strange that I should doubt the love of one leagued with my foes," replied the prince sorrowfully. " How leagued with thy foes ?" inquired the countess in great surprise. "Thou surely dost not mock me," said Henry marking the tears trembling on her eyelids. "Thy countenance be-speaks thy sincerity. Have I then been the dupe, as well as the prey of my designing brothers ?" " If thou hast distrusted the love of Adela, yes," replied his sister, " but come thou with me. My lord awaits us at the castle of Blois. He shall investigate thy cause and re-dress thy wrongs." " Come with us, dear uncle," reiterated the children ob-serving his hesitation. " Yield thyself, rescue or no rescue," said the young Stephen balancing a stick as a lance, and leading off the prince in triumph. " And hast thou not heard of the siege of St. Michael's Mount?" said Henry as he rode by the side of his sister, at the head of the cavalcade. " A passing rumor, and much I fear m e, purposely per-verted to restrain my interference, was all that reached me," replied Adela. " Tell me all." " Thou knowest," continued Henry, " that by the will of our father, the duchy of Normandy fell to Robert, and the rich heritage of England was given to William. Henry had neither patrimony nor domains, some small treasure was all my share. This I gave to Robert in the hour of his need, for the lands of Cotentin, and then passed into Eng-land, to secure the dower of my mother. On my return, the prodigal having squandered the moneys received from ADELA. 71