Cbnrtenay." Tie seized her arm as he spoke, and a pier-cing shriek rang through the hall. "Traitor! viper! release thy hold," exclaimed de Courtenay, springing forward and receiving the fainting girl in his arms. " And who art thou, that darest to cross the purpose of D'Essai ? By what right dost thou interfere between me and my bride?" " By the right of a father," said a deep, stern voice at his side, and the tall knight advancing, tenderly clasped his unresisting daughter to his heart, and stood by like one lost in a tide of long-repressed emotions, while the two nobles fiercely drew their swords, and with deadly hatred, each sought the life of his foe. But the Sheik interposed, reminding them, that his castle walls were sacred, and that if his tributaries chose to slay one another, they must seek the open field for the pastime. Reluctantly, and with eyes that glared with baffled vengeance, the lords sheathed their swords, and the tall knight, laying his daughter gently upon a couch, spake a few words apart to the Sheik. The Old Man made a sign of assent, and instantly two Arabs sprang forward, seized D'Essai, bound him with thongs, and conveyed him from the apartment. Relieved of her fears, and reassured by the presence of a father, for whose affection she had always pined, and a lover, on whom she now contrived to smile in a way that completely satisfied his heart, Eva declared .herself impatient to set off imme-diately for Acre. The Sheik pressed them to partake of some refreshments, and while Eva enjoyed a few moments' delicious conversation with her sire, a troop of slaves- pre-pared and set before them an entertainment that would have done honor to the palace of a king. As the-cavalcade set out, the tender heart of Eva was pained to see Sir Francis placed upon the back of a mule, blindfolded, with his face to the crupper, and his arms firmly pinioned to the body of the Arab who had him in charge. "Thou seemest on excellent terms with the-Sheik of the mountain, noble Clare," said de Courtenay, as they rode 25 ELEANORA. 885