Richard Piantagenet, I thought there was not another in Christendom that could break the bars of my vizor and leave my skull unscathed. Why dost thou hesitate ?" ex-claimed he, observing her embarrassment. "The daughter of Sancho the Wise is not wont to be tardy when called upon to honor the brave. Has the same blow that still keeps the blood dancing in the brain of thy brother, para-lyzed thy hand?" "Nay," said Berengaria, while a bril-liant blush suffused her cheeks, " but I would fain see the countenance of the brave knight, who carries off the honors of the field from such a competitor," and drawing the ring of Elsiebede from her finger, she bestowed it upon the vic-tor. 'Rising from his knees, the knight inclined courteously tothe squires, who with a celerity lent by curiosity, unlaced his casque and unfastened his gorget, revealing the face of Richard Piantagenet, beaming fair and ruddy from the bright yellow curls that clustered round it, and eyes that sparkled in the full appreciation of the surprise and merri-ment that his unexpected apparition occasioned. "Moh cher frère," exclaimed Sancho, grasping his hand, " I am conquered by Richard, then am I victor. Give me joy, knights, ladies, and squires." The heralds taking up the word, sounded the tidings through the field, while the spec-tators shouted, " A Richard ! a Richard !' Long live the gallant Piantagenet !" The Counts of Toulouse and Cham-pagne, assisted by their attendants, hastened to the scene, and discovering the scarf and glove of Berengaria resting beneath the loosened hauberk, recognized each his con-queror, and found in that circumstance a greater balm for their wounded pride, than all their bruises had experienced from the mollifying appliances of leechcraft. The knights challengers thus all vanquished by the single arm of Rich-ard, left the field with the highest sense of satisfaction, and the ready wit of their champion, pointed the sallies and di-rected the mirth of the banquet, which followed, and con-tinued long into the night. • 212 HEROINES OF THE CRUSADES.