mockery, " and of Anjou, and of Normandy, and through his injured queen lord of the seven beautiful provinces of the south. Thy white face has won a marvellous conquest. The arch-dissimulator boasts many titles, but one that bars all thy claims. He is the husband of Eleanor of Aqui-taine !" " Becket ! where is Becket, why comes not my friend and counsellor?" exclaimed Rosamond in the accents of despair, as a conviction of the truth flashed upon her mind. " Dead," replied the infuriated woman, approach-ing nearer and speaking in a hoarse whisper. " Henry brooks no rival in his path, nor will Eleanor." The implied threat and fierce gestures warned Rosamond of her danger, and clasping her frightened children to her breast, she sank down at the feet of the queen in the utmost terror and abase-ment. " Heaven assoil thee of thy sin," said Eleanor, turn-ing to depart, " at dawn we meet again." CHAPTER VI. " Oh I think what anxious moments pass between The birth of plots, and their last fatal periods; Oh ! 'tis a dreadful interval of time, Fill'd up with horror, and big with death." THE first conference of Henry with the legates proved un-satisfactory, but at the second, in the presence of the bish-ops, barons and people, with his hand on the gospels, he solemnly swore that he was innocent both in word and deed of the murder of Becket. Yet, as his passionate ex-pression had been the occasion of the prelate's death, he promised to maintain two hundred knights for the defence of the Holy Land ; to serve in person against the Infidels three years, either in Palestine or Spain, and to restore the confiscated estates of Becket's friends. Pleased with the successful issue of this negotiation, Henry was preparing to return with joyful haste to England, when his peace was ELEANOR. 171