Page:Gothic Stories.djvu/56

 the parties betrothed; the holy benediction was alo pronounced, and for ever was Adela to be the wedded poue of Edgar. Now, with pompous how and attendance, the banquet was erved up to dames and knights, the flower of courtey and valour. The catle reounded with mintrely and the dance; when a tranger, in the imple garb of a pilgrim, entered the hall. He cat his eyes around on the goodly company, and with an air of anctity and repect implored a bleing on their fellowhip. He was received with hopitable welcome, and the reverence due to his holy emblance. He pake in meek and modet guie; his eyes were often fixed on Adela; they were ometimes dimmed with a glitening tear; and ever and anon his boom heaved with involuntary ighs. He took the harp of a mintrel; he touched the trings with materly cunning, and accompanied the notes with a melodious voice. Tuneful, but melancholy, was the drain: he ung the orrows of thoe that are foraken; the anguih of a deponding pirit; and the wounds inflicted on a faithful heart, by incontancy and proud didain, He deited, with marks of grief and inward contention. “Holy pilgrim,” aid Albert, “the ene of calamity devours thy pirit. Inform us of thy mihap, that, if poible, we may adminiter comfort. Nor think it incompatible with bridal fetivity, to indulge compaion, and auage the torment of heartfelt care.”

“I am the on of a freeman,” replied the tranger; “and though my birth was not ennobled by plendid titles, nor my ancetry ditinguihed by the parade of blazonry, my boom burned with the love of arms, and my heart was upright. In an unlucky hour I became enamoured of a gentle dame, the only daughter of a noble baron. My incere though preumptuous uit eemed not dipleaing to that peerles beauty; and with the ardent, intemperate boldnes of a lover, I aked her in marriage of her ire. ‘Go,’ aid he, ‘gain thee a name in arms, and then apire to the envied alliance of my houe.’ I departed, not without tender