" Heaven punished their impiety with a loss of reason," said Adela, with a sigh. " Their impiety began with a loss of reason," said Henry, drily. " Thy pardon, sweet sister, but the heralds of thy grand expedition and the tidings they bear, remind one of the evil messengers of Job, each man having escaped alone to tell thee." " We have as yet gained intelligence only from the ill-appointed and barbarous hordes that encumbered rather than aided the expedition. When we shall receive news from warriors, whose heroic courage executes the plans of temperate wisdom, I trust that the disasters of our foes Will form the theme of conversation," said Adela, with much spirit. "Nay, I meant not to vex thee," returned Henry, sooth-ingly, " and to prove my desire of peace, I have brought with me a flag of truce," and he handed her a letter from her husband. Adela's letter from Stephen contained the most gratify-ing intelligence. Completely duped by the artful policy of Alexius, the count gave a glowing description of his re-ception at Constantinople, and the splendid ceremony by which the Latin chiefs did homage to the Greek Emperor, for the cities they hoped to win in Palestine. He described the magnificence of the city, and enlarged upon the advantages which the holy legions would derive from this allegiance, both in supplies of money and provis-ions. He stated that Alexius had already furnished ships to convey them across the Bosphorus, that a part of the army were already in Asia Minor, and expatiated upon the munificence of their Imperial host, who each week present-ed the leader of the expedition with as much gold as two slaves could bear upon their shoulders. Delicately alluding to the favors bestowed upon himself, he closed the epistle by presenting the monarch's request to the mother, that her son Stephen should be sent to Con- ADELA. 87