change of vows and tokens of affection with the beloved idol of my heart. I haſtened to the plans of Catalonia, where the Saracen was waging fierce battle againſt the banner of the holy croſs. I proffered my ſervice to the chief of the Chriſtians; and that my ſword was not idle, and that I was not backward in the ſtrife of arms, my honourable wounds can teſtify. Neither were my ſervices, nor my thirſt after martial fame, unrewarded. Fair recompence have I received, and the ſun of glory hath gilded the obſcurity of my birth. Rejoicing in my ſucceſs, I haſtened my return. But what power of utterance can expreſs the agony of my foul, when I learned that the faithleſs and inconſtant fair had yielded to the vows of another? I who was ſo true and loyal to my love and plighted troth, to be ſo ſoon forgotten, ſo ſoon forſaken!”–
“Enough, enough!” cried Adela, “O ill-requited lover! pierce not my ſoul with deeper wounds. O Edwin! Edwin! never was I inconſtant. Bear witneſs, ye holy angels! But traitorous guile hath been praiſed. Thy integrity hath been impeached, and my vexed heart betrayed into error.”
The eyes of all were now turned on the ſtranger. He threw off his diſguiſe, and, inſtead of a pilgrim’s ſtaff, he graſped a keen and trenchant weapon. Reſentment glowed in his cheek, and flamed from his fiery eye. “And who,” ſaid he, “hath impeached mine integrity? Stand forth, thou proud, but daſtard baron, whoſe gloſſing tales have betrayed the unwary heart of a maiden. It is Edwin demands reparation.” Conſcious fear was manifeſt in the diſordered features, the pale cheek, and diſconcerted air of Edgar. He nevertheleſs accepted the challenge: and the warriors, arraying themſelves in complete armour, deſcended into the court of the caſtle. In the firſt onſet, the well-tempered ſteel of Edwin cleft the creſted helm of his adverſary; he threw him to the ground, and diſarmed him. “Confeſs thy guilt,” ſaid the conqueror, “and by what in famous arts thou haſt accomplished thy deſign.”–“By
