The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-15

the whole party was set upon and either killed put to flight or captured by an armed band disguised in Lincoln green, but really led by Reginald Front-de- Boeuf, Brian dc Bois-Guilbert and Matt rice de Bracy. captain of the Free Lanees in the service of Prince John.
 The prisoners were taken to Front-de Boeufs castle of Torquilstone. The llt- ter was taken along, too only De Bracy being aware of the identity of the per son who occupied it. He had peeped be- tween the curtains and knew that it was the wounded Ivanhoe. But though cap tain of a free company and engaged in I dishonorable adventure, De Bracy had llnightliness in him and forebore to betray to the cruel Templar the fact that his enemy was within his power.
 Each of the three chieftains who had joined in the attack on Cedric and his train had different object. De Bracy, having seen the charms of Rowena 1t the tournament, had been deeply im- pressed by her, and. learning that she was of a royal lineage and possessed of great fortune. he had conceived the idea of marrying her out of hand, giv- ing Up his precarious trade of a mercen- , ary soldier and settling down as a baron of England. The Templar had seen Re- becca and into his soul had entered q fierce passion which prompted him to risk all for the possession of the Jewess. As for Front-de- Boeuf. it was the golden byzants of Isaac he was after. and these he proposed to wiring from him in the tnr- ture chamber of Torquilstone. Cedric and Athelstane he proposed to hold to ransom.
 The beams of the morning sun were gliding the lofty towers of the castle as the prisoners were taken under the arch way of the gloomy fortress won by Front de-Boeuf's father from the noble Saxon Torquil who. with his seven sons, had died in its defense. There was indeed one of Torquil's race who had escaped his fate to suffer a still harder lot His daughter Ulrica after the taking of the castle. had submitted herself to the vic tor and now as a despised hag, half crazed, she dwelt in one of the apart ments of the castle. her very existence unknown to the Saxons. who supposed her to have perished with her family Into the keeping of this hag the wound- ed man in the litter was given; the Jew was taken to the dungeon arranged for torture; Rowena and Rebecca were placed in separate and remote apartments, and Cedric and Athestane. with some show of courtesy were shown to the Castle Hall. where refreshments were placed be- fore them.
 Cedric was furious at the outrage, and hanRhtllN of his ransom: but Athelatane with com mendable philosophy, said but little and fell to lustily upon the meat and drink.
 De Bracy sought the chamber of Row ena. and dofflng his cap began to speak in terms of galantry, declaring that she was in the presence of her captive, not her iailer T pray you,' replied Rowena, "to leave the language commonly used by strolling minstrels that 1t i'll be- comes the mouth of knights and nobles. Of such terms as you employ each vie crowder hath stock that might last from hence to Christmas"
 Proud damsel" answered De Bracy, srung by the contempt of the lady, thou shalt be as proudly encountered Know, then. that have supported my pretcn- sions to your hand by the means best suited to thy character. It is meeter for thy hnmor to be wooed with bow and bill than in set terms of courtly language Thou art proud. Rowena, and all the fit- ter therefore to be my wife. Know that my rival. Wilfred of Ivanhoe, is in this castle. It only remains for me to be- tray the fact to Front-de-B Boeuf. who would make short work of one whose manor he claims as his own. Richard gave Ivanhoe to Wilfred; John has given it to Front-de- Boeuf. There would be no rivalry for it's possession if I were to say one word to the lord of this castle. Ced- rlcs fate also depends on thy decision"
 Rowena's natural disposition was mild