to his country, crowned with victory and fair renown; and inherited the rich domains of his anceſtors.
Adela was in the prime of beauty, and poſſeſſed a ſuſceptible heart. In her air and aſpect, dignity was mingled with ſweetneſs: for in the diſpoſition of her mind, conſcious elevation of ſentiment was ſoftened by amiable and mild affections.
Edwin, a gallant youth, animated with the generous love of arms, ſmit with the renown of Albert’s Proweſs, and ambitious of profiting by the narrative of his exploits, repaired with other warriors to his hoſpitable caſtle. His eye, keen and piercing, indicated a fiery, vigorous, and active ſpirit. His form was well fitted to kindle deſire in the boſom of tender maids: and the heart of Adela was not inſenſible to his merit. Their paſſion was mutual. He gazed on her unaffected charms with aſtoniſhment; for, till then, he had never felt the tender anxiety, the reſtleſs longing and languiſhment of love. Ambition had been the governing paſſion of his ſoul: but the fierceneſs of ambition now yielded to a foſter though no leſs ardent deſire. He no longer diſcourſed in keen rapture of marſhalled hoſts, of liſted fields, and feats of venturous daring; but languiſhed on the ineffable attractions of a roſeate complexion, and a tender melting eye. The vehement impatience of the warrior was loſt in the complacency and penſiveneſs of the lover.
Albert, perceiving this change in his deportment, demanded the cauſe. Edwin replied in candid and reſpectful guiſe: he told him, without reſerve, of the impreſſion made on his ſoul by the peerleſs beauty of Adela; and, with the ardency of youthful paſſion, beſought him to ratify his ſincere attachment by wedlock. “And who art thou,” ſaid the haughty baron, “who pretends to the love of Adela? What feats of heroic proweſs haſt thou atchieved? Or is thy anceſtry diſtinguiſhed among the chieftains of the ſouth? Thy ſhield is inſcribed with no valorous atchievement: nor are thy deeds, nor the deeds of thy fathers, rehearſed by re-
