, 1863-12-12

bility Of deliverance.
As it drew toward midnight, the terrors
OF the storm increased, and the fierce hail
poured down in sheets and ratified upon
the earth the thunder almost necessarily
roared louder and more loud or, when Il
ceased, the angry wind moancd through the
woods, like chained giant in the grasp Of
an enemy and the -imponotrahle darkness
was rendered more dismal by the blue glare
Of the lightning flashing to and fro.
Silently the castle gate was unbarred |;
and Sir William, throwing himself into the
saddle, dashed his spurs into the sides of
his cOurser, which bounded off at its utmost
speed, followed by the adieus of his coun-
trymcn and the prayers and the tears of
Madeline. The gate was scarce barred be-
hind him ere he was dashing through the
midst of the Scottish host. But the noise
of the warning elements drowned the tramp
ling Of his horses feet, Or, where they were
indistinctly heard for few moments, the
sound had ceased, and the horse and it's
rider were invisible, ere the sentinels, who
had sought refuge from the fury Of the
storm in the tents, could perceive them.
lie passed through the Scottish lines in
safety; and, proceeding by way of Morpeth
and Newcastle, on the third day he reached
the camp Of King Edward, near Knares-
borough. The cgay and chivairous monarch,
at the head of portion Of his army, like a
true knight, hastcned to the relief of his
distressed cousin. ..-as. .
David, however, having heard of the ap-
proach Of Edward at the head Of an army
more numerous than his own, and his no.
bles representing to him that the rich and
weighty booty which they had taken in their
inrcad into England, together with the oxen
and the horses, would be awkward incum-
brances in battle, he reluctantly abandoned
the siege Of the castle, and commenced his
march toward Jed Forest, about six hours
before the arrivalof Edward and Sir Will
liam Montague. Aa
Madeline took the hand of her lover as
he entered, and tears of silent joy fell down
her cheeks; but the Countess forgot to
thank him, in her eagcrness to display her
beauty and her gratitude in the eyes Of her
sovereign and kinsman. The young mon-
arch gazed, enrapturcd, on the fair face Of
his lovely cousin; and 1t was evident, while
he gazed in her eyes, he thought not Of gem
tie Phillippa, the wife Of his boyhood; nor
was Il less evident that she, ilattered by the
gainihtfy or ner prfrociy Teiatfvc,- -ie-set
her absent husband, though in the presence
Of his brother. Edward, finding that it
would be imprudent to follow the Scottish
.pt snN. Aha a.
tess, said" Our knights expected, fair
coz, to have tried the temper of their lances
on the Scottish shields, but us it may not
be, in honor of your dcliyerance, tomorrow
We proclaim tournament to be held in the
castle-yard, when each true knight shall
prove, on the morton of his antagonist,
whose ladye-love is the faircst."
The eyes of the Countess flashed JOY (;
and she smiled, well pleased at the proposal
Of the sovereign; but Madeline treinblcd
as she heard it,
Early on the followingmOrning, thecastle-
yard was fitted up for the tournament. The
monarch and the Countess were seated on
dais covered with purple canopy, and
the latter held in her hand ring which
cleaned as a morning star, and which the
monarch had taken from his finger, that
she might bestow il upon the victor. Near
their feet sat Madeline, an unwilling spec
tator Of the conflict. The names Of the
combatants were known to the pursuivants
only, and each entered the lists armed with
lance and spear, with their visOrs down, and
having, for defence, shield, sort Of cui-
rass, the helmet, gauntlet, and gorget. Sew
eral knights had been wounded, and many.
dismounted but the interest of the day
turned upon the combat Of two who already
had each discomfted three. They con-
tended long and kcenly their strength,
their skill, their activity, seemed equal.
Victory hung suspended between them.
sour ladye," exclaimed the monarch,
risingwith delight; "butthey fghtbravely
Who may they be? Were Il not that he
cannot yet be in England, | should say the
knight in dark armor is Sir John Aubrey"
Madeline uttered suppressed scream,
and cast round look Of mingled agony
and surprise at the monarch but the half
stiAed cry was drowned by the spectators,
who, ut that moment, burst into shout
the knight in dark armor was unhosed-
his conqueror suddenly placed his lance
to his breast, but as suddenly withdrew it;
and, stretching out his mailed hand to the
other, said" Rise, mine equal twas thy
horses fault, and none Of thine, that chance
gave me the victory, though wished it
much" The cOnqueror Of the day ap-
preached the canopy beneath which the
monarch and the Countess sat, and, kneel-
ing before the dais, received the ring from
her hands. While she had held the splen-
did bauble in her. hands during the contest,
conscious Of her own beauty, of which Bor-
der minstrel and foreign troubadour had
sung, she expected, on placing it in the
hands of the victor, to behold it in homage
laid again ut hcr feet But it was not so.
The knight, on receiving il, bowed his head,
and stepping back again, knelt before tho
more lowly seat Of Madeline.
Accept this, dear Madeline" whis-
percd he and sho blushed and startled at
the voice which she knew and loved. The
Countess cast glance Of envy on her COM
panion as she beheld the victor at her feet;
vet it was but one which passed away as
the young monarch poured his practised fiat
teries In her car.
The King commanded that the two last
combatants should raise their visors. The
victor, still standing by the side Of Made.