ena will take upon her the state to which she has been called by the free election of the victor Knight, confirmed by the acclamations of the people." So saying, he lifted the coronet, and placed it upon Rowena's head, in token of her acceptance of the temporary authority assigned to her. "What says he;" said Prince John, affecting not to understand the Saxon language, in which however, he was well skilled. The purport of Cedric's speech was repeated to him in Freneh. "It is well," he said, "to-morrow we will ourself conduct this mute sovereign to her seat of dignity.-You, at least, Sir Knight," he added turning to the victor, who had remained near the gallery," will this day share our banquet." The Knight, speaking for the first time, in a low and hurried voice, excused himself by pleading fatigue, and the necessity of preparing for to-morrow's encounter. "It is well," said Prince John haughtily, " although unused to such refusals, we will endeavour to digest our banquet as we may, though ungraced by the most successful in arms, and his elected Queen of Beauty." So saying, he left the lists with his glittering train, and his departure was the signal for the breaking up and dispersion of the spectators. Yet, with the vindictive memory proper to offended pride, especially when combined with conscious want of desert, John had hardly proceeded three paces, ere, turning around he fixed an eye of stern resentment upon the yeoman who had displeased him in the early part of the day, and issued his commands to the men-at-arms who stood near"On your life suffer not that fellow to escape." The yeoman stood the angry glance of the Prince with the same unvaried steadiness which had marked his former deportment, saying with a smile, " I have no intention to leave Ashby until the day after to-mor row-I must see how Staffordshire and Leicestershire can draw their bows-Needwood and Charnwood must rear good archers." "I," said Prince John to his attendants, but not in direct reply, "I will see how he can draw his own; and wo betide him unless his skill should prove some apology for his insolence." "It is full time," said Bracy, " that the outre cuidance of these peasants should be restrained by some striking example." Waldemar Fitzurse, who probably thought his patron was not taking the readiest road to popularity, shrugged up his shoulders and was silent. Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of the multitude became general. In various routs, according to the different quarters from which they came, and in groups of various numbers, the spectators were seen retreating over the plain. By far the most numerous part streamed towards the town of Ashby, where many of the distinguished persons were lodged in the castle, and where others found accommodation in the town itself. Among these were most of the knights who had already appeared in the tournament, or who proposed to fight there the ensuing day, and who, as they rode slowly along, talking over the events of the day, were greeted with loud shouts by the populace. The same acclamations were bestowed upon Prince John, although he was indebted for them rather to the splendour of his appearance and train, than to the popularity of his character. A more sincere and more general, as well as a better-merited acclamation, attended the victor of the day, until, anxious to withdraw himself from popular notice, he accepted the accommodation of one of those pavilions pitched at the extremities of the lists, the use of which was courteously tendered him by the marshals of the field. Upon his retiring to his tent, many who had lingered in the lists, to look upon and form conjectures concerning him, also dispersed. The signs and sounds of a tumultuous concourse of men lately crowded together in one place, and agitated by the same passing events, were now exchanged for the distant hum of voices of different groups retreating in all directions, and these speedily died away in silence. No other sounds were heard save the voices of the menials, who stripped the galleries of their cushions and tapestry, in order to put them in safety for the night, and wrangled among themselves for the half-used bottles of wine and reliques of the refreshments which had been served round to the spectators. Beyond the precincts of the lists more than one forge was erected; and these now began to glimmer through the twilight, announcing the toil of the armourers, which was to continue through the whole night, in order to repair or alter the armour which were to be used to-morrow. A strong guard of men-at-arms, which was renewed at intervals, from two hours to two hours, surrounded the lists, and kept watch during the night. CHAPTER X. Thus, like the sad presaging raven, that tolls Jew of Malta. THE Disinherited Knight had no sooner reached his pavilion, than squires and pages in abundance tendered their services to disarm him, to bring fresh attire, and to offer him the refreshment of the bath. Their zeal on this occasion was perhaps sharpened by curiosity, since every one desired to know who the knight was that had gained so many laurels, yet had refused to lift his visor or to name his name. But their officious inquisitiveness was not gratified. The Disinherited Knight refused all other assistance save that of his own squire, or rather yoeman-a clownish-looking man, who wrapt in a cloak of darkcoloured felt, and having his head and face halfburied in a Norman bonnet made of black fur, seemed to affect the incognitio as much as his master. All others being excluded from the tent, his attendant relieved his master from the more burthensome parts of his armour, and placed food and wine before him, which the exertions of the day had rendered very acceptable. He had scarcely finished a hasty meal, ere his menial announced to him that five men, each leading a barbed steed, desired to speak with him. The Disinherited Knight had exchanged his armour for the long robe usually worn by those of his condition, which being furnished with a hood, concealed the features, when such was the pleasure of the wearer, almost as completely as the visor of the helmet itself; but the twilight, which was now fast darkening, would of itself have rendered a disguise unnecessary, unless to persons to whom the face of an individual chanced to be particularly well known. The Disinherited Knight, therefore, stept boldly forth to the front of his tent, and found the squires of the challengers, whom he easily knew by their russet and black dresses, each of whom led his master's charger, loaded with the armour in which he had that day fought. According to the laws of chivalry," said the foremost of these men, "I, Baldwin de Öyley, squire to the redoubted Knight Brian de Bois-Guilbert, make offer to you styling yourself the Disinherited Knight, of the horse and armour used by the said Brian de Bois-Guilbert in this day's passage of arms, leaving it with your nobleness to retain or to ransom the same according to your pleasure; for such is the law of arms." The other squires repeated nearly the same formula, and then stood to await the decision of the Disinherited Knight. "To you, four sirs," replied the Knight, addressing those who had last spoken," and to your hon. ourable and valiant masters, I have one common reply. Commend me to the noble Knights, your masters, and say I should do ill to deprive them of steeds and arms which can never be used by braver cavaliers; I would I could here end my message to these gallant knights; but being as I term myself in truth and earnest, the Disinherited, I must be thus far bound to your masters, that they will, of their courtesy, be pleased to ransom their armour, since that which I wear I can hardly term mine own." "We stand commissioned," answered the squire |