himſelf into his eſteem.” The menial bowed with humble obeiſance, and with profeſſions of diligence and fidelity departed.
Meantime Edgar preſſed his ſuit with courteous phraſe and dalliance. Daily tournaments were exhibited at the caſtle of Albert. The knights and barons of the neighbouring domains attended: but Edgar purpaſſed them in the ſplendor of his armour, and the pomp of his retinue. The hall reſounded with revelry and rejoicing; and minſtrels, clad in gaudy apparel, celebrated the praiſes of warlike chiefs, or ſung the power and pleasures of love. Adela arrayed her countenance with ſmiles and courteſy; but her boſom was diſtracted with anguiſh. “O when,” ſhe cried, “ſhall I be delivered from the importunity of a deteſted ſuitor, and the bondage of feigned complacency? When will Edwin return, adorned with conqueſt, and confident with ſucceſs? His merit ſhall ſhine unrivalled; and Edgar ſhall be covered with ſhame.”
At length the page returned; and, repairing to the apartment of his mournful miſtreſs, “Now heaven forefend,” ſaid he, “moſt gracious lady, that the tidings I bring ſhould injure thy tender frame more than thou art able to endure! May the ſaints and miniſtring angels uphold thee!”–“Hath he periſhed?” cried Adela, with a look of terror and amazement. “In what bloody field hath he fallen? Where lies the lifeleſs body? What barbarous adverſary hath mangled and inſulted his graceful form?”–“He hath not periſhed,” replied the attendant. “But, O gentle lady! foul arts have been pracitſed; ſhameful perfidy hath been committed. Edwin lives, but not for thee; he hath given-his hand to another!”–“Peace! peace!” interrupted Adela, with a faultering utterance, and looks of aſtoniſhment mixed with anger, “reſtrain thy blaſphemous ſpeech, nor with bale calumny aſperſe the fame of a true and gallant warrior.”–“When,” anſwered the menial, “have I been guilty of deceit or infidelity toward my gentle miſſtreſs? Full fore it grieveth me to
