Page:Gothic Stories.djvu/57

 of vows and tokens of affection with the beloved idol of my heart. I hatened to the plansplains [sic] of Catalonia, where the Saracen was waging fierce battle againt the banner of the holy cros. I proffered my ervice to the chief of the Chritians; and that my word was not idle, and that I was not backward in the trife of arms, my honourable wounds can tetify. Neither were my ervices, nor my thirt after martial fame, unrewarded. Fair recompence have I received, and the un of glory hath gilded the obcurity of my birth. Rejoicing in my ucces, I hatened my return. But what power of utterance can expres the agony of my foul, when I learned that the faithles and incontant fair had yielded to the vows of another? I who was o true and loyal to my love and plighted troth, to be o oon forgotten, o oon foraken!”–

“Enough, enough!” cried Adela, “O ill-requited lover! pierce not my oul with deeper wounds. O Edwin! Edwin! never was I incontant. Bear witnes, ye holy angels! But traitorous guile hath been praied. Thy integrity hath been impeached, and my vexed heart betrayed into error.”

The eyes of all were now turned on the tranger. He threw off his diguie, and, intead of a pilgrim’s taff, he graped a keen and trenchant weapon. Reentment glowed in his cheek, and flamed from his fiery eye. “And who,” aid he, “hath impeached mine integrity? Stand forth, thou proud, but datard baron, whoe gloing tales have betrayed the unwary heart of a maiden. It is Edwin demands reparation.” Concious fear was manifet in the diordered features, the pale cheek, and diconcerted air of Edgar. He nevertheles accepted the challenge: and the warriors, arraying themelves in complete armour, decended into the court of the catle. In the firt onet, the well-tempered teel of Edwin cleft the creted helm of his adverary; he threw him to the ground, and diarmed him. “Confes thy guilt,” aid the conqueror, “and by what in famous arts thou hat accomplished thy deign.”–“By