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203 ST. RUSINA 203 and pnt them all to death. The CflBsareans fell on the Komans at a narrow and dangerous pass, where after a desperate struggle, they sncceeded in defeating them and kiUing every one except Qneen Ensina, who was taken a prisoner to the Court. The king much struck by her remarkable beauty and still more by her wisdom and good sense, treated her with eyery kindness and consideration, and appointed pages and ladies to attend on her. She had been but a few days in cap- tivity when a beautiful daughter was bom to the queen of Eome, who committed her to the care of the king of Caosarea, begging him to send her to Home, so that she might enjoy her inheritance. She also asked that a Christian priest might be sent for, so that she could see her child baptized. The king promised that her daughter should be brought up as if she were his own, and at once summoned a priest who baptized the child, calling her Rusina after her mother. The dying queen took the babe in her arms and blessed her, and soon after passed away to eternal life; angels were plainly seen bearing her soul to Paradise. The news of this miracle spread abroad and many people hearing of it became Christians. The king with universal approbation buried Rusina with the highest honours, accord- ing to the custom of the country. A few days afterwards a son was born to the king, to the great delight of the people, who requested that he might be called Elemento. The two children were brought up together and treated exactly alike until they were fifteen, when the queen perceived that Elemento could think of nothing but his companion, love for whom so completely filled his heart that he could neither eat nor drink, but was wasting away. She did not wish to have Kusina for a daughter-in-law, as she was a foreigner, and they could derive no benefit from a marriage with her ; so she advised her husband to send Elemento with a good escort to Paris, that he might learn all that became a prince, and also might forget this boyish love. The king, although very fond of Rusina, agreed to his wife's proposition, and sending for Elemento made known their wishes to him. The young prince acquiesced. He said, '* Since yon wish it I will go, but I pray you to take great care of Rusina, for she has my heart and soul in her keeping." He then went to Rusina, and told her, with many tears, that his parents wished him to go to Paris, adding that he could not bear the thought of separation from her, and if she wished it he would remain in CsBsarea. Rusina answered that he was a man and therefore not perfect ; three things there were which would make him good : to love and fear God ; to be baptized; and to obey his father and mother. Elemento answered that for love of her he would do anything, so Rusina sent for a priest and had him baptized. She said, ** I beg you for love of me to be loyal, pure, and innocent, and I will be the same for love of you." Elemento was kindly received in Paris by the king. A palace was given to him for as long as he chose to remain in France, and there he lived and dili- gently studied. Near this palace was the house of a young and beautiful widow, who began to love Elemento, and sent him a message to that efifect. He replied that he had given his love to the most beautiful woman in the world, and could care for no other. About this time Elemento sent letters to Rusina, who wrote to him in answer, that she trusted he would continue to love and fear Ood, and be honest and good. The messenger employed by Elemento was a friend of the widow, and on his return, he told her of the beauty and charm of Rusina, at the same time showing the rich presents she had given him. The widow, being a rich woman and therefore able to gratify all her caprices, at once deter- mined that she would make a pilgrimage to Caesarca in order to see Rusina, and invited the messenger to accompany her. As he was quite willing, they soon started, and in due course reached Csesarca. On her arrival there the widow begged for the honour of an audience with the king, which was granted her. She told him she had just come from Jerusalem and was on her way back to Paris, where