and offered you my services in quality of page, and under your protection and favour have arrived here, where the strange event that has just occurred seems to announce the termination of my sufferings."

"The rest, lady," said Bernardo, "leave to my account, for in me you have a pilot, who will know how to conduct the worn-out ship of your fortune to a port of peace and security."

Thus terminated the events of that day, in which the fortunate Bernardo, under the especial protection of Heaven, found occasion not only to cover himself with glory as a soldier, but to fulfil one of the obligations which his profession of knighthood imposed upon him.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE triumph of the Spanish arms in the field of Roncesvalles had terminated the war with France the states of Castile were left free from an invasion which threatened their independence; and having obtained happily these important objects, Bernardo found himself with the right to claim the liberty of his father, the count; which. as had been agreed to by the king, was to be the reward of victory. In this condition, and anxious to return as soon as possible to the sight of the two persons he most loved in the world (the Count of Saldaña and Edelfrida), he lost not an instant in putting his troops in motion, and the day after the battle the army was marching joyfully on their return to Leon.

The court being removed to this capital, Don Alfonso heard there the prosperous success of his arms, and determining to honour the conquerors, he went forward to receive them as far as the Castle of Luna, where he arrived with a brilliant train at the same time that the Spanish army came in sight of this fortress. Already from a distance Bernardo had discovered the royal

standard floating above those ancient battlements, indicating the presence of the monarch, and seeing, on approaching nearer, the turrets crowned with ladies and knights whose magnificent dresses formed a singular contrast with the sombre and serious aspect of the castle, he hastened to arrive there, to lay his laurels at the feet of Don Alfonso. Separating himself then from the army, he passed on with the Duke of Rosellon, the old shepherd, who had laboured so well upon the field of Roncesvalles, Elvira, and some of the principal generals.

Amid shouts and acclamations, and with the sound of musical instruments, Bernardo entered the royal presence, obscuring with the rays of his glory the majesty of the sovereign, and attracting the admiration of all by the nobility of his mien, and by the dignity and grace of his manners. Don Alfonso received him with particular demon-, strations of favour, and conferred on him the most flattering praises. The fortunate Bernardo, far from arrogating to himself all the merit of the past success, called the attention of the king towards those who had most distinguished themselves in it by their valour and gallantry; and presenting to him the old shepherd, he related to him the strange manner in which he had prevented the flight of the army. Don Alfonso fixed his eyes upon him, and recognised, with aston

ishment and displeasure-the Count Fernan Ramirez.

It is proper, before going any farther, to explain by what chance the count was in the battle of Roncesvalles, where he had made so good account of his person. It has already been seen that Edelfrida, fearing the effects of the anger which the king had conceived against this knight, sent him a messenger advising him of his danger, and counselling him to fly. This advice being received by the count, and there being no other alternative, he betook himself to flight, and after hiding himself for some time, turned his course towards the frontier with the intention of seeking an asylum in France. But he had not yet left his native soil when he heard in the fields of Roncesvalles the sound of arms and the noise of the battle that was being fought between the Spanish and French. Unwilling to neglect the occasion which presented itself of lending his services to his country, he hastened thither with no other arms than a large branch which he tore from an oak, and arrived there just at the time when the Spanish troops were retreating in disorder. The count, placing himself in the narrow pass through which the army was flying, performed the deeds which we have already related, and which it would be tedious to repeat. Bernardo had immediately recognised him on that

occasion, but he abstained from declaring who he was, as it seemed to him a more favourable juncture when they should come into the presence of the sovereign. For the rest, the delay of the messenger whom Edelfrida had sent, in his return, and the uncertainty in consequence with regard to the fate of the count, arose from his having had a fall from his horse which detained him some days.

Let us now return to Don Alfonso, who having recognised the Count Fernan Ramirez, remained a while disturbed and undecided, looking, now at the count, now at Alvar Fañez, who was present, and whose countenance underwent a visible alteration. At last breaking the silence he said: "Count, I would willingly share my crown with him who would prove to me your innocence. But be that as it may, I pardon you; arise from the ground and live."

"Sire," said the count, "it must not be in this manner; for I am not here to implore your clemency, but to ask for justice: my actions have never belied my loyalty."

"But your correspondence with the enemy to whom, years ago, you gave entrance into my dominions!" replied the king.

"And the treason," added Alvar Fañez, "which the letters of the French general prove, which were directed to you and found in your power?"