courtesy as by the address of his opponent. Ralph de Vipont summed up the list of the stranger's triumphs, being hurled to the ground with such force that he was borne senseless from the lists. The acclamations of thousands applauded the unanimous award of the prince and marshals, announcing that day's honours to the Disinherited Knight.

4. "Sir Disinherited Knight," said Prince John, "since that is the only title by which we can address you, it is now your duty, as well as privilege, to name the fair lady who, as Queen of Honour and of Love, is to preside over next day's festival. If, as a stranger in our land, you should require the aid of other judgment to guide your own, we can only say that Alicia, the daughter of our gallant knight Waldemar Fitzurse, has at our court been long held the first in beauty as in place. Nevertheless, it is your undoubted prerogative to confer on whom you please this crown, by the delivery of which to the lady of your choice the election of to-morrow's Queen will be formal and complete. Raise your lance."

5. The knight obeyed; and Prince John placed upon its point a coronet of green satin, having around its edge a circlet of gold, the upper edge of which was relieved by arrow-points and hearts placed interchangeably, like the strawberry leaves and balls upon a ducal crown.

6. The Disinherited Knight passed the gallery close to that of the prince, in which the Lady Alicia was seated in the full pride of triumphant beauty, and, pacing forwards as slowly as he had hitherto rode swiftly around the lists, he seemed to exercise his

right of examining the numerous fair faces which adorned that splendid circle. At length he paused beneath the balcony in which the Lady Rowena was placed, and the expectation of the spectators was excited to the utmost.

7. Whether from indecision or some other motive of hesitation, the champion of the day remained stationary for more than a minute, while the eyes of the silent audience were riveted upon his motions; and then, gradually and gracefully sinking the point of his lance, he deposited the coronet which it supported at the feet of the fair Rowena. The trumpets instantly sounded, while the heralds proclaimed the Lady Rowena the Queen of Beauty and of Love for the ensuing day, menacing with suitable penalties those who should be disobedient to her authority.

8. There was some murmuring among the damsels of Norman descent, who were as much unused to see the preference given to a Saxon beauty as the Norman nobles were to sustain defeat in the games of chivalry which they themselves had introduced. But these sounds of disaffection were drowned by the popular shout of

Long live the Lady Rowena, the chosen and lawful Queen of Love and of Beauty!" To which many in the lower area added, "Long live the Saxon Princess! long live the race of the immortal Alfred!"

Summary:-After defeating Sir Brian, the Disinherited Knight expressed his willingness to meet any other knight who was willing to risk an encounter with him. Front-de-Boeuf and three other knights appeared in turn, and were defeated by the stranger; who then exercised the privilege his victories had conferred upon him—namely, that of choosing the lady who should, as Queen of Love and Beauty, preside over the next day's festival. This honour he conferred on the Lady Rowena.

Exercises: 1. Describe a Tournament in your own words.

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2. Explain-" Decisive advantage;" He was equally successful;" of the silent audience were riveted upon his motions."

"The eyes

3. The Latin prefix am, amb, or ambi, signifies round, about-as, amputate, to cut round; amble, to walk about at an easy pace; ambition, going round canvassing for office. Make sentences containing amputate, amble, ambition.

VI. THE MÊLÉE.

1. Morning arose in unclouded splendour, and ere the sun was much above the horizon, the idlest or the most eager of the spectators appeared on the common, moving to the lists as to a general centre, in order to secure a favourable situation for viewing the continuation of the expected games.

2. The marshals and their attendants appeared next on the field, together with the heralds, for the purpose of receiving the names of the knights who intended to joust, with the side which each chose to espouse. This was a necessary precaution, in order to secure equality betwixt the two bodies which should be opposed to each other in the general encounter, which was called a mélée.

3. According to due formality, the Disinherited Knight was to be considered as leader of the one body; while Brian de Bois-Guilbert, who had been rated as having done second best in the preceding day, was named first champion of the other band. De Bracy, and other knights attached to Prince John, in obedience to a hint from him, had joined the party of the challengers; John being desirous to secure, if possible, the victory to that side.

4. As soon as Prince John observed that the destined Queen of the day had arrived upon the field, assuming that air of courtesy which sat well upon him when he was pleased to exhibit it, he rode forward to meet her, doffed his bonnet, and, alighting from his horse, assisted the Lady Rowena from her saddle; while his followers uncovered at the same time, and one of the most distinguished dismounted to hold her palfrey.

5. No sooner was Rowena seated than a burst of music, half-drowned by the shouts of the multitude, greeted her new dignity. Meantime, the sun shone fierce and bright upon the polished arms of the knights of either side, who crowded the opposite extremities of the lists; while their gallant steeds, by neighing and pawing the ground, gave signal of their impatience.

6. At length the trumpets sounded; the spears of the champions were at once lowered and placed in the rests; the spurs were dashed into the flanks of the horses, and the two foremost ranks of either party rushed upon each other in full gallop.

7. Amid the varied fortunes of the combat, the

eyes of all endeavoured to discover the leaders of each band, who, mingling in the thick of the fight, encouraged their companions both by voice and by example. They repeatedly endeavoured to single out each other, spurred by mutual animosity, and aware that the fall of either leader might be considered as decisive of victory.

8. When the field became thin by the numbers on either side who had yielded themselves vanquished, had been compelled to the extremity of the lists, or been otherwise rendered incapable of continuing the strife, the Templar and the Disinherited Knight at length encountered hand to hand.

9. At this moment the party of the Disinherited Knight had the worst, and he himself was assaulted not only by the Templar, but by two other antagonists at once, the whole three uniting for the purpose of bearing to the earth the Disinherited Knight. It was evident that he must be overpowered; and the nobles around Prince John implored him with one voice to throw down his warder, and to save so brave a knight from the disgrace of being overcome by odds.

"Not I," answered Prince John; "this same springal has already gained one prize, and may now afford to let others have their turn." As he spoke thus, an unexpected incident changed the fortune of the day.