CHAPTER II. Where is the antique glory now become, That while some wont in woman to appear f Where be the bold achievements done by some I Where be the battles, where the shield and spear! And all the conquests which them high did rear Be they all dead, or shall again appear? SPENSER. THE first of August, 1137, rose upon a brilliant ceremo-nial. The princely capital of Bordeaux glittered with all the splendor that Guienne, and its dependent fiefs could supply ; for on that day the native subjects of Eleanor as-sembled to accept the resignation of Duke William, and to give the hand of their liege lady in marriage to the heir of France. Though Eleanor was sufficiently dazzled by the prospect of ruling in the court of Paris, she had the sagacity to accept the proposal of her barons and refuse her consent to the arrangement, till by charter and deed she had secured inviolate the laws and customs of Aquitaine, and the administration of the government to herself alone. Upon the conclusion of the ceremony the duke laid down his robes and insignia of sovereignty, and in presence of his loving subjects and weeping grandchildren, took up the her-mit's cowl and staff and departed on-his lonely pilgrimage. The royal cortege set out the following day for the north, resting only at the principal towns, where the young duke and duchess received the homage of the feudal lords. At Blois, the Count of Vermandois, who had by circum-stances that seemed to him wholly accidental been forced • to give his constant attendance upon the artful Petronilla, embraced once more his beautiful Adelais, and pleading her ill health, obtained permission of the prince to absent himself for a time from court. The disappointed Petro-nilla could scarcely conceal her chagrin at this unlooked-for interruption in her proceedings, and from that moment conceived the most violent hatred of her innocent rival. ELEANOR. 129 9