The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-11
THE TOURNAMENT.--THE DAYS OF
RICHARD COEUR DE LION.
re I'll d.

"Bceve me that never more longed to break lance
against any man, than do against this Boosting French
lie met the Baron with such prowcss that while the
very plume on his crsluc seemed scarcely stirred, Ami
hald thrown several PAGES from his seed-and wa'
not ill moments after his visor was removed by Ms
s1urcs, that he recovered his senses" RlENzl.
The impassoned embrace of her lover awoke
the maiden, for the first time, 20 full consciousness
and bushng deeply at finding herself in his arms,
yet overcome by gratitude to her preserver, as well
as subducd by his enthusiastic love, she could not
for some time answer or find it in her heart to for
bid his carcss. As frank as she was pure, Blanche
cared not to disguise from Stanley the deep love
which she felt toward him, and the few moments
that elapsed before the rest of the train appeared
on the opposite bank, were spent by Stanley in lis
,cnina to those half murmured words which are so
delicious when whispered by the one we love, in
return for our passionate VOWS and unreslstcd but
as vet unrcturncd caresses.
"Bu,, sweet Blanche, you are wet, and will
catch cold if we do not hasten TO some SHELTER
See too the party are approaching"
That day saw Stanley an altered being lie had
won the love of Banchc she had herself acknowl-
edged it TO him; and for little while he forgot, in
his ecsacy. the vast distance fortune had placed
between them,
But he little knew the influence that was at work
to ruin his hopes, nor shall we DWELL long upon the
painful recital Suffice it TO say that the whole
scene between Blanche and her lover had been wit
messed b, the Baron still chufed with having been
outstrippcd by the page, and his dark naughty
spirit, fred with jealousy and hate, had resolved
from that instant ON the ruin of Stanley. lie saw
but one course to effect this, for he knew that
Blanche could not be brought to disown her pre-
server; and he resolved therefore TO inform her pa
rent of what he had Witnessed taking care to color
i, in such manner as TO exaspcraie the earl be-
yond all hope of reconciliation. And he succeed
cd Int too well. The first burst Of the Father :
gratitude had been to bestow upon his page the
long promised knighlhood; but the very day after
the ceremony the baron commenced the prosccu-
ton of his scheme, and in private interview so
worked upon the old mans feelings that he swore
TO Danish Stanley forever from his presence.
" Base ingratc-ungrateiu wretch" exclaimed
the earl, sirding passionately TO and fro in the
stone hall, "to worm himself into my home, and
then stab me to the heartily my halidome ii is
too bad-on the honor of knight, old as am |
am well nigh tempted to challenge him TO the field
tomorrow"
"And say on one day." inerposed the French
man. ",hc boy YOU have knighted on another
pshaw what will be said Of that: All! no, be-
lieve me, my good friend, the best thing You can
do is to cast the hypccrite out upon the world and,
any word, before year, he will have been pun
s4hed enough. lie is not worthy the gauge Of a
man of honor, my lord, or myself, for the love |
bear veur house. would ere another hour challenge
him to the outrance."
The object of the willy Frenchman in such od-
vice is easily to be seen. lie knew enough OF tie
female heart TO know that the absence OF Blanche
lover was necessary to his own success and though
it chafed his proud spirit 10 win her thus, yet he
resolved, if successful eventually in his suit to
have ample revenge for every thing. lie knew 'ha'
the loss Of Blanche would he the severest blow he
could infct on her lover, and to effect that, there
fore, he determined to move heaven and earth.
at shall lie us you say Count, replied Blanche
father, 'ior your advice is, doubt not, given out
Of your love for my house. Blanche is the last
flower of it left, and have to thank You for saving
her from the Vaccinations of an ungrateful wretch.
Oh! would had known this bu, day sooner
never should these old hands have knighicd him
but all! tell Inc, you knew all tllisbeiore and had
YOU told me, might have prevented his getting hi,