The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-18

out bringing any tiuinSs oil MS iate. enc had trust
ed that long ere this, she should have heard from
Stanley, by some of the many pilgrims stopping Il
the castle, but months crcpt slowly by, and wmle
was already bowling along the wastes, before sh,
learned aught of the young knight
1t was stormy night in December, and the snow
fell thick and fast, when palmer asked admttanc,
from the tempest, to share the warmth of the hal
fire, and obtain morscl of fare. lie had not ar.
rived more than few minutes, before the hand
maid of Blanche came running to her Mistress say
ing,
sob! Lady Blanche, here is palmer brings YOU
word of Stanley, at least he whispered his name
apart to me but now, and asked il could not OBJ
tain for him moments interview with my lady,"
Blanche gasped, blushcd, turned pale then blush
ed again at the sudderncss of the news, and recov-
crlng herself by a strong effort, said:
"Oh! yes-let me only hear from Slanlcy-but
how can see hint Is not scemly that we should
converse before all in the great hail."
"Never fear, my lady, I'll manage that-'s
the easiest thing I'll have him before friar John
could tell single bead, and none shall ever guess
for what he is come OH leave it 10 mc.''
The maiden trppcd lightly away, and entering
the hall, told the palmer, before the guests assem-
bed there, that her lady having heard of his ,rav-
els 10 the Holy Land, sought to ask him few
questions concerning the brave knights there, fight
ing for the Holy sepulchre. The palmer bowed
low, and making an obesance to the earl, followed
the girl to her mistress presence.
Perhaps there was wild, vague suspicion flash
ing through Blanche's bosom, as she heard the
approaching footsteps Of the palmer, that her lover
had chosen this disguise, in order to behold her
again; but if so, it faded when she saw enter the
bent form of a gray-haircd pilgrim.
"Our lahy's benizcn be on you, sweet lady,"
said he, "and blessings follow you whilhcrsocycr
you 60"
Holy pilgrim" said Blanche, in her low sweet
voice, touched by his appearance, "you are weary
sit down hee-you have come II long way"
"a long, long way, lady; but it is nothing since
it allows me to bring you iidings which | see by
your cheek, sweet lady, will be welcome as the
sight of jerusalem to the way-worn christian"
and taking from his bosom cross said TO be n
relic of saint, he gave it to Blanche, continuing
"thc young knight Henry de Stanley babe me give
you this, and tell you that his faith in you, aud il
were alike unsh,kcd 1t is now n month since,
when about TO sail for Palestine, he gave it to me
to bring to YOU
"To-sail for Palestine" gaspcd Blanche, :" and
has he left England-oh! then shall never see him
lnorc," and overcome by the sudlcnness of the III
lormation she forgot the presence of the palmer
and hurst into tears.
The aged pilgrim gazed on her in silence until
the first burst of her grief had had its way, aud
then in kind voice he said,
"Wccp not--dcar ady-ior the absence of the
young knight, for he has gone to join the army of
the cross, and great will be his reward. feel that
he will win name which shall shine respondent,
even among the gallant host, that our good king
Rchard--ihe saints guard and protect him-lcd on
agains, Saladin. Cheer up, lady, your tears ought
rather to be shed for these who ignobly stay a,
home"
But Blanche could not be thus confortcd; she
thought only of the that rolled belwiNt her and
her loycr-of the dangers he would have 10 face
before he could reach his dcsiina,ion-and of the
many knights who had set forth to Jerusalem with
lofty hopes, but who had never returned from that
far off land, the sepuchrc for the chyalry of Eu-
rope How could she be comlorted! Her young
heart was well nigh broken. She 81 ghcd to be left
alone, and buryng her head in the bosom of her
handmaid, wept for hours, until, like an innocent
child she fell asleep. In the morning the palmer
had gone Blanche had trusted that he would wait
to have another interview; but telling her hand
maid that he could not remain longer, and charg-
Ing her anew with messages from Stanley, he left
at early dawn. Blanche heard no more Of him,
nor of her lover; bu, though left in Ignorance of his
fate, she trusted still unhes,atingly in his truth,
and looked forward to the day when, if he should
return, he would claim her as his own. Her faith
in Stanley was unbroken, and she watched for his
cOHIlHn,-lht IHc WIN, WIFI S'oiHi
has shroudcd the polc-star in darkness, keeps his
eye fixed upon the spot where it disappeared know
IN, that as soon as the clouds break away, he shall
behold the beacon shining there as undimmcd as
ever.
But De Thicvry had not, as the reader may sup
pose, given up his pursuit of Blanche. He had
only left her side until time, as he imagined, should
in measure eradicate Stanley from her bosom
and ere many months he returned to Monireve'
castle, with prouder train than had ever entered
lis walls. His manner was guarded and careful
until he had assured himself Of Banche's sent
menis toward him; for deeply skilled in the human
heart, he knew that TO win her love would be i'm
possible By openly detraciing from the character o
her lover. lie soon satisfied himself that Blanch,
had not yet forgotten Stanley, and conscious of hi
want of success, so long as she still dwell upoI
the memory of the young knight, DE Thievry de
tcrmined to re-assumc the character Of Blanche
friend, to even praise her absent lover, but in tn
meantime, by means which he well knew how I,