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 ai E, R.AR.Y 
 
 OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 Of ILLI NOI5 
 
 ,^' 
 
^THE PILGRIM OF THE CROSS, 
 
 ^ '^ J CHRONICLES OF 
 
 W CHRISTABELLE DE MOWBRAY, 
 INSCRIBED, BY PERMISSION, 
 
 WITH THE UTMOST RESPECT, 
 
 TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, 
 
 THE PRINCESS SOPHIA MATILDA 
 
 =;- OF GLOUCESTER, 
 
 d 
 
 Z^ BY HER ROYAL HIGHNESS'S 
 
 rl 
 
 MOST OBLIGED, 
 & OBEDIENT HUMBLE SERVANT, 
 
 ri ELIZABETH HELME. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 o 
 
 N the suppression of Monasteries 
 in the thirtieth year of King Henry 
 the Eighth, 1538, among a number 
 of articles sold, appertaining to a 
 Franciscan Convent, in the county 
 
 of 
 
via. INTRODUCTION. 
 
 of Difrham, were several rolls of 
 written parchment, which had been 
 carelessly thrown among the com- 
 mon lumber. 
 
 A scholar, named Hollis, was the 
 purchaser.— With indefatigable care 
 and industry he found sufficient, on 
 perusing the skins, to encourage him 
 to proceed. — The writing was, in 
 many places, nearly effaced, and irl 
 others the language so obsolete, that 
 he with difficulty could comprehend 
 it; though the manuscript, it was 
 evident was not an original, but a 
 
 corrected 
 
INTRODUCTION. 1X» 
 
 corrected copy, as the first envelope 
 ran thus : — 
 
 ** Chronicles of the houfes of the 
 *' Barons de Point z and de Mowbray^ 
 ** copied from the original Manuscript y 
 *' by Daniel le Grix^ Gierke^ by order 
 ** of Robert Earl of Latimer; and 
 ** deposited by him in the church of 
 ** Black Ganons^ dedicated to St, 
 ** Austin^ near Auckland^ Durham^ 
 *' Anno Domini 1330, being the fourth 
 ^^ year of the reign of our Sovereign 
 *^ Lord King Edward the Third. ^* 
 
 Richard 
 
X. INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Richard Hollis resolved, as it 
 should appear, to take another and 
 more correct copy ; although he pre- 
 served all the original dates, marks, 
 and signatures, together with the 
 time he made the purchase. — His 
 copy ran thus : 
 
 '* Amiah of t-he families of de 
 *' Pointz and de Mowbray^ corrected 
 *' and rendered legible by Richard 
 *' Hollis y of the University of Cam" 
 '^ bridge. Anno Domini 1543." 
 
 From this period to the year 16S9, 
 the first of King William the Third, 
 
 into 
 
INTRODUCTION. XI. 
 
 into what hands the Manuscript fell 
 is uncertain; but at that period it 
 was again re-purchased at a public 
 sale, sewed in a cover of carved 
 wood, among some papers, books, &c. 
 which had appertained to Francis de 
 la Pont, a monk, who had followed 
 the fortunes of his sovereign, James 
 the Second. ^ - 
 
 From that time it hath remained 
 in one family, though re-copied, 
 and the language again modernized, 
 the year after it was purchased. — 
 From which Manuscript the present 
 
 is 
 
XIU INTRODUCTION. 
 
 h now first offered to the public ; and 
 though from the various alterations 
 of language, it n^ ay have lost some 
 interest, the change was absolutely 
 necessary, to render it intelligible to 
 modern readers. 
 
 THE 
 
THE 
 
 PIJLGJRIM OF THE- CKOSS. 
 
 CHAPTER I, 
 
 I 
 
 N the year 1190^ ., King Richard, Coeur 
 de Lion, besieged th^ city of Aeon, in 
 Palestine; which had been defended for 
 three years before by the powers of Saladin, 
 the Saracen monarch, against the christian 
 forces. After great loss of blood and trea- 
 
 voL. I. B sure. 
 
^ THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 sure, he obliged it to surrender, though 
 on stipulated terms; and pursuing his con- 
 quests, gained many places of less conse- 
 quence in that country. But the object 
 of his long and ardent expectation escaped 
 his grasp; — for he had only arrived within 
 sight of Jerusalem, when, upon reviewing 
 his forces, he found them so wasted with 
 famine, and the fatigue they had under- 
 gone, that he was obliged to relinquish his 
 purpose, and come to an accommodation 
 with Saladin. 
 
 By this treaty a truce of three years was 
 agreed upon ; during which period it was 
 settled, that the ports of Palestine should 
 remain in the bands of the christians, and 
 that pilgrims should visit Jerusalem in 
 perfect security. 
 
 After the death of Hichard, and the ac- 
 cession of John, no powerful effort was 
 made against the infidels {pv some years; 
 
 but 
 
THE CROSS. 
 
 hut ^out the ninth year of his reign, some 
 young nobles resolved to take up the cross, 
 ^and protect a number of pilgrims who 
 Avished to visit the Holy Land. 
 
 Among the most gallant of these was 
 Philip, Baron de Pointz, a youth not more 
 distinguished by the greatness of his de- 
 scent, than for the qualities of his mind, 
 and the native dignity of his person. He 
 was by birth an Englishman, but had re- 
 ceived his education in Normandy, from 
 learned men of his own country, which 
 he had visited previous to his departure 
 for Palestine; and where \\e, in reality, 
 formed the design of accompanying the 
 crusaders. 
 
 It was some months before this reso- 
 lution could take effect, during which 
 period devout people thronged from all 
 quarters to profit by the escort; until at 
 length their number amounted to three 
 B 2 hundred 
 
4 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 •hundred pilgrims, and six hundred sol- 
 diers .and knights of the cross, who 
 enrolFca their names, and engaged to pro- 
 tect them. 
 
 Passing over to France, they travelled 
 through that country tou'ards the southern 
 coast; where vessels heing provided, they 
 embarked, and reached Sicily. There 
 contrary winds for a time detained them ; 
 and leaving their ships they encamped near 
 the shore, where they followed their dif- 
 ferent pursuits, forming into select parties, 
 or single friendships, as their tempers or 
 inclinations suited. 
 
 Among the latter, were young dePointz, 
 and Henry Fitz-Hugh, his contemporary in 
 age, but far his inferior in birth and fortune, 
 having little to recommend him but the 
 graces and good qualities he inherited from 
 nature. The knight had not visited Eng- 
 land with de Pointz, but joined him in 
 
 France 5 
 
THE CROSS. :; 
 
 France, where he vvas- astonished .at the 
 change that had takeriL-|wace in h^ dispo- 
 sition; for from heing lively, and even 
 giddy, he was become reflective, and at 
 times almost melancholy. Fitz-Hiigh, 
 who judged that visiting the domains of his 
 mother, which had lately fallen to him, 
 might have produced that effect, for some 
 time passed over the subject in silence;; 
 but finding no change, he resolved to use 
 the privilege of friendship, and ask the 
 cause. 
 
 During their stay in Sicily an opportu- 
 nity occurred: — Fitz-Hugh entering dc 
 Pointz's tent, found him alone, a large 
 manuscript before him, and apparently lost 
 in melancholy reflection. — '' Now, by my 
 faith," said he, " would I give ten marks 
 to know what saturnine spirit hath of late 
 infected thee; 'tis true, thy father hath 
 followed his progenitors, but thou hast in 
 B 3 his 
 
THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 his case done all that duty and affection 
 require. — Thy mother too died some 
 months before him, at an age when she 
 might have been expected to live many 
 years longer; but then thou scarcely ever 
 knewest her, and by her bequeathing the 
 estate of Latimer to Lady Christabeile de 
 Mowbray, 'tis plain she thought little of 
 thee/* 
 
 " Do'st thou allow nothing then," re- 
 plied de Pointz, ^^ for the estates of my 
 grandfather, the Baron Falconberg, which 
 
 1 inherit from her, and the accumulated 
 riches of that house?" 
 
 '' \Yhy, aye, much indeed is to be said 
 in that case; and this same Christabelle de 
 Mowbray was a generous wench, to give 
 thee what she could have bequeathed 
 elsewhere. I think she was not more than 
 nineteen at her death, aiid outlived thy 
 mother scarcely a year.'* 
 
 '< Would 
 
THE CBOSS. 7 
 
 *^ Would she had lived till I wished her 
 dead," answered de Pointz; ^^ that ac- 
 cursed bequest hath filled me with melan- 
 choly. Her o^'U small property^ which 
 she enjoyed from her parents, she hath 
 bequeathed to a convent and monastery, 
 near the castle of Latimer, to say daily 
 masses for the soul of my mother, and for 
 those of her own parents, during the term 
 of seven years -^ after which period it is to 
 go to the nearest of blood who shall claim; 
 it.— Would to Heaven slie had disposed 
 of the estate of Latimer in the same 
 manner.** 
 
 . ** Pish, man, thou csn'st at any time do 
 that thyself; keep it till thou can'st no 
 longer enjoy it, 'tis time enough then to 
 endow convents." 
 
 *' Methinks thou do'st not speak of 
 
 convents/' replied de Pointz, smiling, 
 
 B 4 '' with 
 
]^ THE PILGEIM OF 
 
 '•' with the reispect befitting a soldier of the 
 cross." 
 
 '^ In faith, let me speak as I will/' an- 
 swered he, '' I revere religion, and would 
 give my life willingly to root out infidelity ; 
 though I honestly wish it could be done 
 without bloodshed. I trust I am no cow- 
 ard ; but I swear I should prefer making 
 converts of the Saracens wives and 
 daughters, to slaying their husbands and 
 sons. -^ To convince the young infidels 
 they had souls — to hear them their con- 
 fessions.— rOh, in such a case I could be 
 an enthusiast!" 
 
 "Providence, dear Fitz-Hugh, that 
 gave thee such a flow of animal spirits^ 
 bestowed on thee a richer gift than any in 
 fortune's power!" 
 
 " True,, and willingly would I now 
 transfer a part to thee; — some few months 
 back thou did'st not want them. In faith, 
 
 even 
 
THE CROSS. 9 
 
 even I myself have been scandalized at 
 the unlicensed wildness of thy mirth ; and 
 what in the name of all the saints at once, 
 for I cannot particularize them, can have 
 wrought this change I am- at a loss ta 
 conjecture." 
 
 ^'I^have no wish/' replied de Pointz, 
 " to keep any secret from thee; I know 
 thee true^ and will confide in thy bosonrv 
 the cause, that, in spite of my endeavours, 
 liath made me thoughtful." 
 
 "Marry, thou wilt do well; the first 
 step towards obtaining a cure, in desperate 
 cases, is to consult an able physician,— and 
 such I will endeavour to prove to thee." 
 
 '^ Attend then," answered de Pointz. 
 " Thou knowest that at the early age of 
 four years,- by the unhappy dissensions be- 
 tween my father and mother, I was torn 
 from her, and brought to Normandy. My 
 father's temper^ proud and vindictive, never 
 B b suffered 
 
10 THE PILGIUM OF 
 
 suffered him to enter into explanations with 
 me; — mine, careless and volatile, looked 
 no further than the surface, and if I 
 thought of my mother, of whom all traces 
 were nearly worn from my memory, it was 
 as of some indifferent being, to whom I 
 held no particular affinity. We seldom 
 heard of her; but about fifteen months 
 since, one day on returning fiom hunting, 
 I found my father in great disorder. — He 
 informed me, that by the arrival of a mes- 
 senger from England, he had learned my 
 motlier's death, and received a copy of her 
 testament, which he shewed me; and 
 which ran as thou wilt find written in the 
 first page of the parchment attached to that 
 manuscript." 
 
 '' WHEREAS I, Christabelle 
 Falconberg, Baroness de Pointz, have for 
 some months past been gradually declining, 
 and now find myself hastening to that 
 
 awful 
 
THE CROSS. 11 
 
 awful state, where all secrets shall be laid 
 open. 1 yield my body to the 'dust, and 
 my soul to its Almighty giver; humbly 
 hoping the intervention of the blessed 
 saints may shorten its time of purification 
 from mortal sin, and that it may then be 
 received into everlasting peace. 
 
 " To the Baron Gilbert de Pointz, my 
 lord and husband, I give the whole of the 
 estate bequeathed to me by my father, 
 during the term of his life; and at his 
 death, to my much loved son, Philip de 
 Pointz, requesting, their prayers, as they 
 have ever had mine. 
 
 " To Christabelle de Mowbray, whom I 
 answered for at the font, daughter of Ro- 
 bert de Mowbray, and who hath ever 
 shewn me the duty of a child, and enabled 
 me by her tender affection to bear the loss 
 of my own, I bequeath my castle, estate, 
 and domain of Latimer, having a title and 
 
 right. 
 
t2[ THE PILGIIIM OP 
 
 right, as will appear by the original grant 
 from William the" Conqueror, who autho- 
 rized and im powered the possessor thereof, 
 not only to leave it to any one of his chil- 
 dren, but also to devise it to an alien in 
 blood. 
 
 *^ To Philip de Pointz I give all the 
 inassy gold and silver vessels that apper- 
 tained unto his grandfather, the Baron 
 Falconberg, as a memorial of my affection 
 and forgiveness, that to the many letters I 
 have addressed him, he hath never an- 
 swered; praying him hereafter, if conve- 
 nient, to see Christabelle de Mowbray, and 
 to bear her no ill-will, that I have given 
 her what he could so amply spare. 
 
 '^ To the convent and monastery dedi- 
 cated to St. Mary, at a short distance from 
 the Castle of Latimer, I bequeath five hun- 
 dred marks, praying them to admit my 
 sinful dust within their holy walls, and 
 
 that 
 
THE CKOSS. 13 
 
 that they will say masaj^ for my soul's 
 rest. 
 
 CHRISTABELLE FALCONBERG, 
 Baroness de POINTZ. 
 '' Signed, JAMES LA ROCHE, 
 
 Sealed, and of the Monastery of 
 
 Witnessed the St. Mary, on the 
 
 10th day of domain of Latimer. 
 
 April, in the JOHN LEVA L, Stew- 
 
 Year of our ard of the Castle, on 
 
 Lord, 1209. the said domain." 
 
 ' Fitz-Hugh having .read the testament, 
 remained for some moments silent, — ^^ And 
 why,'* at length*said he, '^did'st thou not 
 repl^D the letters she sent thee ? it was a 
 '*maTk of d^ty tkou at least owed her." 
 
 ^ An<l which I should willingly have 
 paid,'* answered de Pointz, *^bnt I never 
 •received the smallest memorial from her; 
 and had been led into a belief that she 
 would not receive any letters either from 
 
 my 
 
14 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 my father or rnj^elf. After my mother's 
 death my father's health rapidly declined, 
 and being many years her elder, he sur- 
 vived her but six months, leaving me heir 
 to all his possessions. Some time after his 
 decease, on examining his cabinet, I 
 found some writings to corroborate what 
 my mother's testament mentioned, for 
 therevvere not only letters to me, but also 
 to himself; and I resolved, when I had 
 arranged my business in Normandy, to 
 repair to England i" 
 
 ^* I remember well," said Fitz-Hugh, " I 
 thought thee impatient on the subject; 
 but the sickness of my uncle, and hi^. sub- 
 sequent death, prevented my accompanying 
 thee, or paying that attention I might 
 otherwise have done." 
 
 ** After my father's death," con- 
 tinued de Pointz, '* I wrote to the Lady 
 Christabelte, condoled with her on the loss 
 
 of 
 
THE CROSS. 15 
 
 of the baroness, entreated her to be as- 
 sured that I was perfectly satisfied with the 
 testament of my mother, and finally wished 
 her health to enjoy the bequest she had 
 made her. To this I received a reply^ 
 by the same messenger I had sent; it 
 breathed the very spirit of sorrow. — 
 Christabelle informed me, that she had a 
 decided objection to the world, and was 
 resolved to devote herself to a religious life,: 
 in the neighbouring convent; — that what 
 she inherited from her father, Robert de 
 Mowbray, was far more than sufficient ta 
 answer that purpose in the most ample 
 manner, and therefore she resigned to me 
 the castle and domain of Latimer, for ever, 
 praying only that the ancient vassals of the 
 house might be continued and enjoy their 
 accustomed indulgence. 
 
 " My own affairs not permitting me to 
 repair immediately to England, I again 
 
 dispatched 
 
li) THE PILCTxIM OP 
 
 dispatched the messenger, by whom I sent- 
 a letter, in which I peremptorily refused to 
 accept her offer; requesting her to consider 
 me as a brother, and at least to take time 
 for reflection before she adopted a life that 
 once embraced was without recal, finally 
 Hiforming her, that I should leave Nor-^ 
 mandy speedily. 
 
 ^* To this I received no answer, and two 
 months after, I departed for England, ac- 
 companied only by a few vassals. By an 
 impulse which I cannot explain, before I 
 visited either my father's or grandfather's 
 domains, I travelled to the castle of La- 
 timer; but judge my surprise, I may add^ 
 my grief, when I learned that Christabelle 
 de Mowbray, some days after, the receipt 
 of my letter, had retired to the convent, 
 where, yielding to the grief that devoured 
 her, she, after lingering a month, expired, 
 first making a testament, perfect in all its 
 
 forms. 
 
 ■ I 
 
THE CROSS. TT 
 
 forms, by which she bequeathed me the 
 estate of Latimer, entreating me, as I va- 
 lued her soul's rest, and honoured the me- 
 mory of my mother, to let it remain with 
 me, according to her intention'. 
 
 Her own small possessions she left, as I 
 before told thee, to the convent, for seven 
 years, and then to the nearest of blood who 
 should claim them. — These were the only 
 bequests, except some small portion of land 
 and a dwelling, which she gave to, John 
 and Cicely le Val, and., after their decease, 
 feo their daughter Ad nee. 
 
 Do not think me ungrateful, but, by my 
 life, I felt more for the death of this young 
 unknown than I had done for either my 
 father or mother. Cicely, the superin- 
 tendant of the castle, received me,* her 
 husband and daughter were absent. — She 
 was a respectable woman, of the age of 
 £fty, her father-in-law. had been the former 
 
 steward. 
 
IS THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 steward, and though greatly advanced in 
 life, survived the Baroness de Pointz, 
 though for many years his son, John le Val,. 
 had transacted all the duties of his station. 
 Cicely met me at the outward gat©, attended 
 hy the inferior vassals, and on entering the 
 hall, where they left us, threw herself at my 
 feet, and clasping my hand, exclaimed, — 
 
 ^^ Pardon, my noble master, living image 
 of the best of earthly women, now a 
 blessed angel in Heaven, if surprise and 
 joy force from me a famfiliarity unbecoming 
 my station; — but, indeed, I cannot restrain- 
 myself. — Oh, would to the Virgin, this 
 visit had taken place a few months before, 
 then would every wish of your mother's 
 heart have been gratified, and you would 
 have seen the angel she modelled after her 
 own pure soull" 
 
 ^^ I raised Cicely, and spoke comfort to 
 her,, or rather, I mingled my tears with 
 
 her's, 
 
TH[E CR0S6. ig 
 
 her^s^ for I do not blush to acknowledge, I 
 was moved even to feminine tenderness. 
 
 *' Oh, my Lord,'* said she, '^ perhaps you 
 do not know, that the baroness wished 
 you to see the Lady Cristabelle ; — 
 not more bad she at heart to see yourself, 
 before she died, than that you should see 
 her. — Ah, my Lord, you must have loved 
 her! for should the artists of the whole 
 world combine to form a perfect image, the 
 daughter of Robert de Mowbray ttiight 
 have served for a model," 
 
 *^ As a sister, Cicely, I would have es- 
 teemed her," returned I, '' more I cannot 
 promise. — What my mother's designs 
 Were^ I well know, but I have seldom seen 
 such unions happy as were the fabrication 
 of parents." 
 
 '' The many years Cicely and her family 
 had served the house of Latimer, her own 
 respectability, jorned to a strong under- 
 standing, 
 
20 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 standing, and unaffected piety, made me 
 pleased wkh her company; obliging her; 
 therefore, to take a seat, I received much 
 information respecting my family, that I- 
 was before ignorant of. After taking a 
 slight refreshment, she attended me through 
 the castle; — one chamber particularly at- 
 tracted my notice, it was that in which my- 
 mother had expired. It was hur^g with 
 black, and on a table was a crocifix and a 
 missal; and by the bed where she had lain, 
 was placed a couch, covered with the same 
 sable furniture, near the side of which 
 stood an amber cabinet with a small silver 
 key. 
 
 " Observing that I gazed on the objects 
 around. Cicely informed me, that during 
 the life of the baroness, the Lady- 
 Ghristabelle always slept in her cham- 
 ber, and that after her death, neither 
 persuasion, aor all that either she or the 
 
 priest^" 
 
THE CROSS. 21 
 
 priest of St. Mary*s could urge, would 
 dissuade her from continuing her usual 
 practice. " She caused it -to be hung with 
 black," added she, '^ and used to pass the 
 greatest part of her time here; her only 
 relaxation being to write a chronicle of tlie 
 life of her parents., and that of the Baroness 
 dePointz." 
 
 ^^ And from whence had she materials 
 necessary for that purpose ? — Her parents, 
 J think, died when she was an infant," 
 said I. 
 
 ^' They did, my Lord, hut the Lady 
 Christabelle possessed many writings apper- 
 taining to them, which gave minute re- 
 cords. — She also at times, though before 
 she thought of using such information, 
 .obtained accounts from the baroness, 
 since whose death she devoted her hours 
 to connect the whole; for that purpose 
 gaining njany particulars from myself, the 
 
 friar^ 
 
22 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 friar, James la Roehe, and my father-in-law, 
 le Val." 
 
 *^ And where, I pH-ay you, good Cicely, 
 &re those chronicles? — If there was no 
 express wish to the contrary, I should be 
 happy to peruse them." 
 
 '^ Then, my Lord, to tlie best of my 
 belief, they are in that amber cabinet.— I 
 judge they were forgotten when she went 
 to the convent, and her health was too much 
 impaired to suffer her to think of them 
 afterwards." 
 
 *^ I had often been curious to learn 
 some particulars of the union of my pa- 
 rents, and of their subsequent separation ; 
 hut the habitual coldness and reserve of my 
 father precluded all inquiry. — I knew, 
 from report, that their dissension arose 
 from the house of de Mowbray, but little 
 more; and now felt anxious to peruse his 
 
 daughter's 
 
THE CROSS. 23 
 
 <3aughter*s relation, though I had no sup- 
 position the account was so ample. 
 
 " My mind was so employed in thinking 
 of the chronicles, that I scarcely noticed 
 the rest of the castle which I passed over, 
 and on Cicely asking me in which cham- 
 ber I chose to sleep, I replied, — '^ In my 
 mother's." 
 
 *^ Not so, I pray you, my Lord," an- 
 swered she. *' It was, indeed, a happy and 
 a pleasant chamber, in the baroness's life 
 ti«ie; but now is fit for nothing but t® 
 create melancholy. — There are plenty of 
 others;— pray, my Lord, be advised." 
 
 " I will have no other, Cicely, therefore, 
 let it be prepared." 
 
 " At least, my Lord, suffer the «able 
 hangings to be removed, a short time wiH 
 suffice for that." 
 
 " No, I will not have any change, — the 
 xlaughter of de Mowbray you say mourned 
 
 Xhere 
 
24 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 there many months, think you not I have 
 sufficient duty to pass a few nights in the 
 same manner?" 
 
 " Cicely made no answer but by a lowly 
 reverence; and supper being served, and 
 removed untouched, for I had no appetite, 
 I .desired to be lighted, though it was early., 
 to my chamber. 
 
 '' Two vassals, bearing torches, attended 
 me to the door of my apartment, where I 
 dismissed them. On entering I found 
 a lamp well lighted, whose beams ap- 
 peared to redouble the gloom around me; 
 but too anxious to heed other objects, I 
 hastily turned the key of the cabinet that 
 contained the chronicles, and discovered a 
 far greater number of parchments than 
 I had expected to find. I was seated upon 
 the black couch; and such, for a monjj^it, 
 was the power of fancy, that a cold chill 
 appeared to run tlirough my veins,. ^nd I 
 
 raised 
 
THE CROSS. 25 
 
 raised my eyes with a kind of half ex- 
 pectancy of seeing my mother and the 
 daughter of de Mowbray. Nothing, how- 
 ever, but the darksome hue of this cham- 
 ber of death met my sight; and taking the 
 roll from the cabinet, I suffered no sleep to 
 beguile my thoughts, nor rest to relieve my 
 eyelids, till I bad reached the conclusion/' 
 
 De Pointz paused; and Fitz-Hugh re-^ 
 plied, — ^^ By my life, thou hast interested 
 me with thy relation. — I would I had been 
 with thee, to have shared the chronicles of 
 the fair maid.'* 
 
 '^ If thou h^st sufficient patience thou 
 mayest peruse them even here; for on 
 quitting the castle, I could not resolve to 
 leave them behind. — They arc now before 
 thee." 
 
 *i Not all these, surely,*' answered Fitz- 
 Hugh; '^ no woman could have patience 
 to^Tite so much." 
 
 OL, u C ^^Of 
 
26 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 ^^ Of her person/' replied de Polntz, 
 ^^ we have only report; but of her under- 
 standing there is no doubt. If thou hast 
 curiosity, read them, I can bear the repe- 
 tition. Give me thy opinion as it strikes 
 thee; and when finished I will conclude 
 my account,'* 
 
 ^^ I thankfully accept the offer," an- 
 swered Fitz-Hugh; and receiving the 
 manuscript from de Pointz, he read as 
 follows. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CROSS. t7 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 
 ^* Chronicles of the house of Robert de 
 Moivhray^ and that of Christahelle, FaU 
 conberg, heiress of Latimer, and Ba- 
 roness de Pointz, collected by Christabelle 
 de Mowbray^ daughter to Robert de 
 Moirhray, and pupil and God-daughter 
 of the Baroness de Pointz, 
 
 V-/H, ye blessed spirits, 
 
 whom I trust are united in everlasting 
 
 peace, and for whose rest the orphan Chris- 
 
 C 2 tabcUe 
 
28 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 tabelle will never cease to pray^ if ye can 
 know how she is now employed, pardon 
 that with weak hands and tearful eyes she 
 retraces your virtues, sorrows, and suffer- 
 ings. Perhaps when I may be freed from 
 this mortal coil, and my soul in peace with 
 your's, this faint remembrance may fall 
 into the hands of Baron de Pointz, who 
 hates me, because I am the daughter of 
 de Mowbray. Alas! I cannot hate him, — 
 he was the husband of the heiress of La- 
 timer. His son too has imbibed his fa- 
 ther's hatred; that son, whom unknown 
 I love as a brother, and whom a thousand 
 times I have longed to embrace, for flat- 
 tering report hath said he resembles his 
 angel mother. Alas! I shall never see 
 him ! — the world is dead to Christabelle de 
 Mowbray, and Christabelle de Mowbray is 
 dead to the world!— -Her spirit fled with 
 the last breath of the heiress of Latimer^ 
 
 0nd 
 
THE CROSS. 1Q 
 
 and her whole wealth is now buried in her 
 dark and loathsome tomb. — Ah, not so, 
 sinful that I am, somewhat whispers her 
 better part survives ; — the mortal woman 
 only perished, the saint was snatched tO' 
 everlasting life. 
 
 ^' Two long months have passed since I 
 lost the baroness, eight tedious weeks hath 
 my more than mother be^n numbered 
 with the dead ! — The gloom of December 
 that covers the face of nature, is not more 
 dreary than my heart, — I can talk or 
 think of nothing but the treasure I have 
 lost. I will recal her every word to my me- 
 mory, — I will read my father's papers. — 
 The aged and respectable la Roche, and 
 le Val will assist me; and I will beguile the 
 hours with the very ciause that makes them 
 sorrowful. 
 
 C 3 '' Hugh, 
 
30 THE PILGRIM' OP 
 
 ^^ Hugh, Baron Falconberg, inherited 
 the castle and domain of Latimer, with 
 other extensive lands in this county of 
 Durham^ by bequest from his wife, who 
 was heiress of that house. The estate of 
 Latimer had originally been a gift to the 
 baron of that name, from William the 
 Conqueror; and the baron having no chil- 
 dren, that monarch had empowered, nob:^ 
 only him, but the future possessors, to 
 bequeath it to any part of their family they 
 chose, or even to an alien of blood. La- 
 timer, the first possessor, bequeathed it to 
 his youngest nephew, from whom it had 
 regularly descended, after four genera- 
 tions, to the wife of Baron Falconberg, 
 who left it unconditionally to her husband. 
 
 " The only fruit of their union was a 
 daughter, the Lady Christabelie Falconberg, 
 whose birth the motfeer survived but a 
 «hort time; and who even in her first year, 
 
 the 
 
THE CROS&. 31 
 
 baron endowed with her mother's revenues, 
 reserving only to himself a right of re- 
 sidence for life. 
 
 '^ The baron was as liberal as rich^ and 
 prosperity flourished among his vassals; 
 but his temper was unbending and haughty, 
 and his will law, — hence he was more feared 
 than beloved, and more shunned than fol- 
 lowed. Far otherwise was the Lady Chris- 
 tabelle, who, as she grew up, inherited all 
 her father's dignity ; tempered with a gen- 
 tleness of demeanor that maae her idolized 
 by the vassals, and wherever she went fol- 
 lowed with acclamations and blessings. 
 
 *^ Among the inmates of the caslle was 
 an orphan youth, called Robert de Mow- 
 bray, high by birth as the baron himself, 
 but unhappily ruined by the prodigality of 
 his parents, who hadJittle to leave him but 
 unblemished honour, v 
 
 C 4 '' The 
 
32 THE PILGKIM OF 
 
 ^^ The liberality of the baron was amply 
 shewn in the education of this youth, 
 whose father had been his esteemed friend 
 and relation ; he understood the Greek-, 
 Latin, and French languages, and no ex- 
 pense was spared to make him a perfect 
 knight. Nor were the sums so devoted 
 thrown away, for de Mowbray was on all 
 sides allowed to be one of the most gallant 
 youths of his time. Educated with the 
 Lady Christabelle, though some few years 
 her elder, he was not insensible to either 
 the beauties of her mind or person, and 
 shuddered when he considered the distance 
 fortune had placed between them. At 
 every joust or tournament, the baron had 
 the satisfaction of seeing his pupil bear 
 away the prize of valour, and as constantly 
 saw the spoils laid .^y|||| daughter's feet. 
 But suspicion ^^^'^^I^HB^ noble minds^ 
 and he never conceited that the ruined de 
 
 Mowbraj 
 
THE CROSS, 33 
 
 Mowbray would dare to look so high as the 
 heiress of Latimer and Falconberg. 
 
 '' The Lady Christabelle was not insen- 
 sible to the merits of de Mowbray ; her 
 eyes spai-kled at his success, and her, heart 
 sunk at ?.ny sorrow that assailed him. — 
 Her gentle nature was formed for affection, 
 and the repulsive character of the baron, 
 which, from his daughter demanded only 
 unlimited obedience, perhaps made a 
 double portion be fixed on de Mowbray. 
 
 ^^ When the Lady Christabelle was about 
 eighteen, a grand tournament was held at 
 York, which the king, Henry the Second, 
 honoured with his presence ; and the joust- 
 ing over, he visited the castles of many of 
 his nobles, and, among others, that of 
 the Baron Falconberg, attended by some 
 of his favourite c^^^^liKs. 
 
 ** On this occasiSpjl the grandeur of 
 
 the castle was called forth. The days were 
 
 C 5 spent 
 
34 THE PILGIilM OF 
 
 spent In feasting, and the nights in music 
 and dancing; the most sumptuous enter- 
 tainments being given. 
 
 " Henry, though a brave man, and a 
 great and wise king, gave' himself up to a 
 vice which particalarly disgraced him, and 
 which sowed perpetual discontents between 
 himself and Eleanor, his queen. He had 
 seduced the wives and daughters of many 
 of his nobles^ and, though advanced in life, 
 could not withstand the beauty and in- 
 nocence of the Lady Christabelle. Unsus- 
 pected by her father, he paid her marked 
 attention, and at length forgot himself and 
 what was due to the rights of hospitality, 
 so far as to write her a letter; in which he 
 made her an offer of his heart, and a pro- 
 mise of all those d^^izliftg distinctions and 
 professions of wealtWlbiit had before se- 
 duced others^ ^-/.'''Hfff 
 
 " Christabelle" 
 
THE CROSS. 35 
 
 ^^ Christabelle read the letter with ab- 
 horrence; — to give it to her father was, 
 she deemed^ impossible; for^ proud, vin- 
 dictive, and jealous of his honour, she 
 knew his rage would have no bounds, and 
 might involve him in a quarrel with the 
 king, which would end in his destruction. 
 
 ^^ In this distress her heart directed her 
 to consult de Mowbray and seeking him 
 alone, she began by obtaining from him a 
 promise of secresy and forbearance on the 
 subject she was about to impart; and with 
 blushes then produced the letter. — 
 
 " Read this detestable scroll, de Mow- 
 bray," said she, *' then tell me, with the 
 kindness of a brother, what levity I can 
 have shewn in my conduct, to provoke so 
 insolent an offer '--^Did I not fear re- 
 vealing the affaii .- ly^ father, I Vv'ould 
 trample it under my f^et-with Jhe contempt 
 it merits, even in the ting's presence." 
 
 " The 
 
30 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 *^ The strong emotion of cle Mowbray, 
 for a moment deprived him of speech, but 
 the crimson of his cheek, and the fire 
 which sparkled in his eyes, was not unob- 
 served by the Lady Christabelle, who, 
 laying her hand on his arm, said,- — 
 
 " Dear de MovvlDray, I ahuost repent 
 having told even you, for never before did 
 T see you thus moved* to anger. — Remem- 
 ber my fears for my father, they are scarce 
 less on your account; for never more 
 should I enjoy happiness, if, by my means, 
 I involved either in a contest with the 
 king." 
 
 *^ Dearest maid," answered de Mowbray, 
 " there is no danger for me, and though I 
 scarcely know whether it can be done con- 
 sistent with honour, yet prudence dictates 
 to conceal this insult,— at least till after 
 the king's departure." 
 
 " What 
 
THE CROSS. 37 
 
 *^ What 1 have devised/' reph'ed she, 
 *^ if I can depend on your patience, is to 
 return this letter to the king, enclosed in 
 a cover, in which I shall simply tell him, 
 that the offer it contains suits neither the 
 inclination nor the rank of the daughter of 
 the Baron Falconberg. — That surely will 
 make him desist; if it should not, I must 
 then, per-force, apply to my father for 
 protection." 
 
 '^ I will obey you," answered de Mow- 
 bray, " though my heart recoils at the 
 dotard, whom even grey hairs cannot 
 teach to subdue his passions." 
 
 '^ More discourse passed, and the Lady 
 Christabelle, with many charges, at length 
 intrusted the letter to de Mowbray, who, 
 on the ensuing morning, found an oppor- 
 tunity to address the king, in the absence 
 of the baron. — 
 
 ^^My 
 
38 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 '^ My Lord/' said he^ in a low voice, 
 " I have a letter to deliver to your •High- 
 ness, from the Lady Christabelle; — would 
 you please to favour me with a moment's 
 audience ?" 
 
 ''The blood of de Mowbray rose high 
 and crimsoned his cheek as bespoke; but 
 he saw with satisfaction^,, that the king also 
 was confused, — 
 
 " My Lords/' said Henry, turning to 
 the nobles who attended him, '' this young 
 friend of the Baron Falconberg and I must 
 have some converse. I knew his father 
 well, he was a brave man, and my compa- 
 nion in arms; — I wish to ask his son some 
 questions in private, respecting his family." 
 
 '' The Lords immediately withdrew, 
 when Henry, with apparent expectation of 
 success, addressing de Mowbray, said, — 
 
 '' The Lady Christabelle hath chosen a 
 youthful messenger; but all her friends 
 
 shall 
 
THE CKOSS. 39 
 
 shall be such to me, and Henry will repair 
 to de Mowbray the sliattered fortunes of 
 his house." 
 
 " My Lord, 1 thank you," answered de 
 Mowbray, '^ the shattered fortunes of my 
 family annex no dishonour to my name, 
 and I submit to them without repining.-— 
 My present commissfon from the Lady 
 Christabelle, is this letter, which she re- 
 quested me to present to your Highness." 
 
 ^^ Henry snatched the letter, and break- 
 ing the seal, saw at once it was his own, 
 only accompanied with a cold and con- 
 temptuous refusal. He bit his lip, and 
 turning with anger on de Mowbray, said, — 
 
 ^' You, my young master, are doubtless 
 well acquainted with the contents of the 
 packet you brought ? " 
 
 " I am, my Lord," replied de Mowbray, 
 firmly ji " accustomed, from infancy, to be 
 a partaker of any vexation that attended 
 
 the 
 
40 TKE PILGRIM OP 
 
 the Ladv Christabelle, she did not wiihhold 
 this from me, though at present unknown- 
 to her father; as she trusts, that on a second 
 thought, you will decline a suit that must 
 make you foes." 
 
 ^' Young man," said the king, " are 
 you and the Lady Christabelle aware of the 
 danger of making Henry your enemy?" 
 
 ^* No man that hath once seen the 
 heiress of Fiilconberg can Zre her foe; — and 
 for me, my Lord, while my heart applauds 
 my conduct, I can fear no iTian." 
 
 "Insolent! — Know you in whose pre- 
 sence you stand ? — The offer of a king's- 
 afFections might confer honour even on 
 the heiress of Falconberg." 
 
 *' True, my Lord, were it legal, — but 
 that you have not to bestow; and those 
 honours which flattered and gratified 
 Rosamond Clifford, and the wife of Sir 
 
 Ralph 
 
THE CROSS. 41 
 
 Ralph Blewit*^ would humiliate and dis- 
 grace Christabelle Falconberg." 
 
 *' You doubtless told her so," replied the 
 king, contemptuously, " truly she hath 
 chosen a wise young counsellor; and yet 
 mure, a boy champion, I suppose, should 
 occasion need." 
 
 *^ Age hath no standard for either wis- 
 dom or prudence," answered de Mowbray, 
 *' neither, I believe, hath valour; — but of 
 this I can assure your Highness, that if 
 called upon in defence of the honour of 
 the house of Falconberg, the boy will en- 
 deavour to prove himself a man." 
 
 *^ Doth your insolence go far enough to 
 threaten me ?" said the king, *' but begone, 
 and remember, I am not to be offended 
 with impunity." 
 
 '' De Mowbray immediately obeyed.— 
 Young and inexperienced, though he saw 
 
 the 
 * Two of the kind's former mistresses. 
 
AQi THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 the storm that hung over him, he dreaded^ 
 it not ; and seeking the Lady Ciiristabelle,, 
 he partially related the discourse that had 
 passed. 
 
 ^^ Among the courtiers that attended 
 the king to the tournament, and afterwards 
 to the castle of Latimer, was the Baron de 
 Pointz, noble by birth, and possessed of 
 rich and extensive domains, both in England' 
 and^ Normandy, his influence was even 
 necessary to Henry himself. He was of 
 the age of thirty-six, of a commanding and 
 dignified mien, and fully aware of all the 
 advantages his birth and wealth bestowed. 
 At the jousting he had been twice van- 
 quished by de Mowbray, and his proud 
 heart rankled, with the affront, though un- 
 able to shew his displeasure openly. 
 
 ^^ With the eye of partiality he had con- 
 sidered! the heiress of Falconberg, and 
 marked her, respecting birth, fortune, and 
 
 beauty 
 
THE CROSS. 43 
 
 beauty as befitting his wife. He bad also 
 iwted, in the pointed attentions of de 
 Mowbray, and the smiling acceptance of 
 those attentions from Christabelle, a dan- 
 gerous rival; but too great to be dismayed 
 by an opponent of broken fortunes, he re- 
 solved at once to gratify his love, and to 
 triumph over one whom he considered had 
 disgraced him. For this purpose, in the 
 king's presence, he laid his proposal before 
 the baron, who, gratified by such an al- 
 liance, at once accepted it, never doubting 
 that his daughter's consent must necessa- 
 rily follow, 
 
 " Henry, though at first struck by an 
 offer which he considered inimical to his 
 own designs, speedily overcame his dislike, 
 and resolved to give the match his support. 
 In all probability he concluded, that once 
 wedded and brought to court, Christabelle's 
 partiality for de Mowbray must give way, 
 
 , and 
 
^ 44 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 and she would be more In his power; or 
 at least he should gratify his revenge by 
 separating her from the man she loved. 
 
 *^ Christabelle heard the baron's proposal 
 with a disgust she could not surmount, and 
 throwing herself at her father's feet, con- 
 jured him to suffer her to decline an offer 
 which must make her wretched. Unused 
 to contradiction, the baron could scarcely 
 believe the evidence of his senses, that the 
 gentle Christabelle should dispute his will ; 
 and snatching his garment from her clasped 
 hands, he left her, bidding her remember 
 she was a daughter, least he should forget 
 he was a father. 
 
 ** Though the aversion of Christabelle was 
 evident, by her.whole conduct to the Baron 
 de Pointz, he^persisted in his suit; and au- 
 thorized by her father, and sanctioned by 
 the king, the marriage was soon expected 
 to take place. 
 
THE CROSS. 45 
 
 ^^ De Mowbray felt at once for Christa- 
 Ibelle and for himself; to know her lost to 
 him for ever was insupportable, and doubly 
 .poignant as she was to be united to a man, 
 who, from difference of disposition, was in- 
 capable of making her happy. Yet his 
 honour forbade him, in his dependant state, 
 to attempt, either by word or action, to 
 shew her the state of his heart ; and brood- 
 ing over his sorrows in solitude and silence, 
 his spirits became depressed, and his health 
 declined. Christabelle had in vain for some 
 days sought to meet him alone, but fearful 
 of letting the secret escape his lips, he had 
 <:autiously avoided her ; until one evening, 
 seeing him from the terrace walking in the 
 garden of the castle, she hastily joined 
 him, — 
 
 *^ De Mowbray,^' said she, " have you 
 too agreed with my persecutors, that you 
 
 constantly 
 
46 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 constantly fly me? — or do you fear that 
 sorrow is contagious?" 
 
 " Dear Christabelle/' replied he, " what- 
 ever grief assails you must wound me, and 
 is far more difficult to endure than any 
 that can affect myself." 
 
 *' Counsel me then, how to avoid this 
 hated marriage, which, rather than submit 
 to, I would spend my days in a convent, or 
 even face death." 
 
 " Would to Heaven I possessed the 
 power to prevent it, but the unhappy beg- 
 gared orphan de Mowbray, bound by a 
 chain of honour and gratitude to your 
 father, can only with weak and hopeless 
 pity see you sacrificed in silence; while 
 •every pang you endure fixes a corroding 
 thorn in his heart." 
 
 '^ De Mowbray," said she, ^^ I would 
 have devoted my life to rendering the 
 latter days of my father happy, I would 
 
 have 
 
*rHE CROSS. 47 
 
 iiave watched his hours of pain, and borne 
 •without murmuring with the infirmities of 
 his temper; but no duty, moral or religious, 
 requires a daughter to give her hand where 
 «he cannot bestow her heart, for in that 
 case she must carry her falsehood even to 
 the foot of the altar, and insult Heaven 
 itself with perjured vows, which while her 
 lips utter her soul revolts from. You 
 must assist me to escape from this, de 
 Mowbray.'* 
 
 ^^ De Mowbray started. — 
 
 *^ Alas ! it is impossible ! ' ' said he, ^^ Hea- 
 ven knows, that if my wretched life, de- 
 voted to penury, slavery, or death, could 
 release you, I would willingly yield it; but 
 to be a villain, stigmatized with ingratitude, 
 a viper to sting the fostering bosom that 
 nourished my infancy, is worse than 
 ^death," 
 
 '' Your 
 
48 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 *' Your honour is dear to tne as my 
 own,'* answered she. '' During my fa- 
 ther's life, which the Virgin prolong and 
 bless, I will never wed without his appro- 
 bation; but this hated marriage I will at 
 all hazards avoid. My design therefore is 
 to fly to the convent of Augustine nuns at 
 Chilton, and remain there till my father 
 retracts his promise of giving me to the 
 baron. Should he preremptorily refuse, 
 the estates of Latimer, which are mine, I 
 will settle upon the convent, and devote 
 myself to a religious life. From hence to 
 Chilton is only six miles, and I doubt not 
 but that I can walk thither, for to take a 
 horse might create suspicion. You, de 
 Mowbray, must be my guide, for I am 
 not bold enough to brave the dangers of 
 the night alone, and that must be the time 
 chosen. Before the hour of my father's 
 rising, you can, unsuspected^ return, and 
 
 will 
 
THE CROSS. 4Q 
 
 will not sure refuse to save me from 
 despair.'* 
 
 " Though de Mowbray felt the full 
 force of his obligations to the baron, yet 
 his affection for Christabelle could not fciil 
 to preponderate ; especially as, though it 
 was to rescue her from a hated marriage, 
 be did not endeavour to turn that event to 
 his own advantage. He, however, warrnly 
 pressed her not to think of secluding her- 
 self* from the world, as he trusted her fa- 
 ther v'ould relent. — 
 
 " And now, deai*est maid,'* continued 
 he, ^' the casde of Latimer will be no 
 dwelling for me, when thou art gone; I 
 will then away, and join the crusade that 
 is about to depart for the Holy Land, for I 
 like not the service of Henry. — And 
 though I would willingly live, nay die in 
 the defence of my country, yet my arm 
 shall never be employed for one, who, 
 VOL. I. D though 
 
50 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 though brave, and in many instances noble, 
 could connive at the sainted Becket being 
 slain at the holy altar — whose libertinism 
 hath driven his wife to disobedience, and 
 his children to rebellion — and finally, who 
 could insult the spotless innocence of the 
 
 daughter of his host " 
 
 " Hist!" interrupted Christabelle, 
 *^ what's that? — heard ye not a noise?** 
 
 ** The wind among the branches, no- 
 thing more." 
 
 '^ Thou hast dissuaded me ivorry my 
 purpose/' said she, ** for never will I be 
 the cause of thy leaving the protection of 
 my father. I wiU' once more throw myself 
 on his mercy; and if that fails, consider 
 on some other^iieans of safety.'* 
 
 ^^ Let no consideration for me dissuade 
 thee," answered he, '^ for my resolution 
 hath long been fixed for a journey to the 
 Holy Land. The brave Prince Eichard 
 
 will 
 
THE cnoss. 5l 
 
 will be our leader; and 'tis time I seek to 
 gain by arms the distinction which fortune 
 hath denied me. Should I return with 
 honour, to thee, Christabelle, the beloved 
 companion of my infancy, and the chosen 
 friend of my riper years, will my heart first 
 lead me. — Should I fall, my soul is free 
 from self-reproach, for I have hitherto in- 
 jured no man; and the sweet consideration 
 will soothe my soul in dying, that I shall 
 live in thy memory, where I would sooner 
 be remembered, than have my name en- 
 rolled for ages in the records' of princes." 
 
 " If thou art resolved/' returned she, 
 *^ 'tis in vain for me to urge motives 
 against such a hazard, though Heavew 
 knows how severely I shall feel for thy 
 safety. One thing only I must not be 
 refused, 'tis a sister's gift, — my mother's 
 jewels are mine own, and those thou shalt 
 D 2 accept. 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY Of ILUNOlS 
 
52 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 accept, to preserve thee from pecuniaiy 
 wants in a foreign land."" 
 
 " Not so, dear maid, I have enough for 
 a soldier of fortune^ thou must therefore 
 excuse me." 
 
 '' Nay, but if only as remembrancers, I 
 pray ye accept fliem/* said she, laying 
 her hand on his arm. 
 
 '' De Mowbray, though he had wished to 
 avoid temptation, was not proof against it; 
 and raising her hand to his lips, then 
 pressing it to his breast, he replied, — 
 
 ^' I need no remembrancer, beloved 
 Christabelle, thy mind and person are in- 
 delibly engraven on my memory; .and 
 though we should be divided far as the 
 poles asunder, still would my heart find no 
 counterpart but thine.'* 
 
 '' Turn, villain ! turn, and answer to my 
 injured honour, for the infamous discourse 
 thou boldest with my affianced wife!" ex- 
 claimed 
 
THE CROSS. b3 
 
 daimed the Baron de Pointz, rushing for- 
 ward with his drawn sword^ and accom- 
 panied" by the king. 
 
 " Villain thyself!" answered de Mow- 
 bray, stepping before Christabelle, and 
 drawing his sword. — ^* Cowardly listener ! 
 learn, that the man doth not live who 
 would dare offend the chastity of Chris- 
 tabelle Falconberg with the sound of in- 
 famy; — when petty villains like thee en- 
 tertain such wishes, they commit them to 
 writing, and thus without voice utter theiy 
 accursed desires." 
 
 " As de Mowbray spoke, the directiori 
 of his eye fell strong on the king, who ex- 
 claimed to de Pointz, — 
 
 "Strike, strike him to the chine! — 
 Tliine own honour and thy king's at once 
 demand it!" 
 
 " Christabelle distracted with fear fled 
 
 towards the castle, screaming for help, baf, 
 
 D 3 overpowered 
 
54 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 overpowered by her emotion, fell senseless 
 at the foot of the terrace. 
 
 ^^ De Pointz in the mean time attacked 
 de Mowbray with a fury which deprived 
 him even of his accustomed skill, and 
 speedily terminated the combat in favour of 
 the latter, who stepping forward to his 
 fallen enemy, said, — 
 
 '^ Take your life, my Lord, in the castle 
 of the Baron Falconberg you are safe. But 
 let this lesson teach you, that the chaste 
 nnd peerless heiress of Latimer, listens to no- 
 infamous discourses; and that the ruined 
 de Mowbray possesses 'a heart as great, au 
 arm as strong, and blood as noble, as that 
 which flows in the veins of the Baron de 
 Pointz, and will not be insulted with 
 impunity." 
 
 '^ At that moment the inmates of the 
 castle, whom the cries of Christabelle had 
 
 • alarmed. 
 
THE CROSS. 55 
 
 ilarmed, ran towards the spot, with the 
 Lord Falconberg at their head^ — 
 
 " Seize that young villain !'* exclaimed 
 the king, *'he shall answer this deed with 
 his life. — Send hirn, I say, to York- Castle, 
 myself will there be his judge. — Raise the 
 Lord dePointz, and bear him in, I trust 
 he is not wounded to death.'* 
 
 ^' Falconberg for a moment appeared lost 
 in amazement, but recovering himself, he 
 said, — 
 
 ^' In what hath Robert de Mowbray of- 
 fended your Highness? — What infernal 
 spirit hath breathed this confusion among 
 my guests, that I find my daughter strug- 
 gling as it were in the agonies of death, 
 my intended son-in-law in extremity, and 
 my honoured sovereign condemning the 
 brave youth whom I have protected from 
 his cradle, to an ignominious prison." 
 
 D 4 '' Turn 
 
5 8 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 ^^ Tarn to that villain for an explanation,'^ 
 replied the king, " who hath returned your 
 bounty with the blackest ingratitude; — and 
 to requite it, would seduce your daughter, 
 slay your son-in-law, insult his king, and 
 tran-iple at once on all the laws o£ hos- 
 pitality." 
 
 '^ Impossible!^' replied Falconberg. 
 
 " It is, indeed, impossible, my mosu 
 respected Lord," answered de Mowbray, 
 ^' I am content to perish, but not to ba 
 dishonoured." 
 
 " Did you not purpose to. bear the Lady 
 Christabelle away from the castle?" inter- 
 rupted the king. 
 
 " Not from selfish motives," returned 
 de Mowbray, " but to the convent of 
 Holy Augustine Nuns ; till she moved her 
 father to listen to her entreaty of declining 
 the suit of the Baron de Pointz." 
 
 '' Observe/" 
 
THE CROSS. 57 
 
 ^^ Observe," resumed the king, ^^ I 
 wave thy contemptuous and insolent dis- 
 course respecting myself, and refer only to 
 what nffects the injured Baron Falconberg." 
 
 " Your Highness would do well to let 
 the whole business be canvassed, the baron 
 then would know us all,'* replied de 
 Mowbray. 
 
 " Peace, villain !" said Henry, '^ thy false- 
 hoods we are now prepared for. Can'st 
 thou deny thy artful working on the inex- 
 perience of the daughter of the baron, 
 under the specious shew of care for her 
 happiness, until she offered thee her jewels? 
 Can'st thou deny thy feigned refusal, thy 
 vows that poisoned her ear, the kisses thou 
 imprinted on her hand ? — Can'st thou deny 
 these, I say, and thy conscious blood not 
 rise in thy cheek to witness against thee?" 
 
 '^ Should I blush, my Lord, it will not 
 
 be for myself^ but for those who^ delegated 
 
 Do by 
 
58 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 by Heaven to administer justice, are the 
 first to offend against its dictates." 
 
 "Insolent! — Dare you speak thus to 
 me? — Bear him hence, unless the Baron 
 Falconberg wishes to question him 
 farther." 
 
 *' No, my Liege, I am at once too fatally 
 convinced, and will tear from my heart, 
 without a pang, a youth who could impose 
 on my unsuspecting nature, and a daugh- 
 ter who couid thus disgrace her honour 
 and her family." 
 
 " Not so," replied the king, " the 
 youth and inexperience of the Lady 
 Christabelle plead for her; — but remove 
 that young deceiver, — in the prison, at 
 York, let him pay the forfeiture of his 
 guilt." 
 
 " In a moment I am ready," replied 
 de Mowbray, firmly, *' against power and 
 prejudice 'tis in vain for weakness and in- 
 nocence 
 
THE CROSS. 59 
 
 nocence to contend. In the prison, at 
 York, or on the scaffold, my Lord, my 
 soul shall not shrink, for there is a power 
 yet greater than your*s, who sees our hearts 
 and will hold the balance equally between 
 us. I have no wish to live, for dishonoured 
 in the eyes of my patron life would become 
 hateful to me. — Yet," continued he, break- 
 ing from those that held him, and throwing 
 himself at the feet of Falconberg, '^ believe 
 me, most honoured Lord, I am not the 
 villain represented; and for the Lady 
 Christabelle, not the blessed saints them- 
 selves are more pure than is her mind front 
 evil.'' 
 
 " Do'st thou deny then, that she meant 
 to leave the Castle of Latimer?" enquired 
 the baron. 
 
 '^ No, my Lord, it was, indeed, proposed^ 
 but she meant only, as before said, to 
 retire to the convent of Augustine Nuns 
 
 till 
 
60 
 
 TKE PILGRIM OP 
 
 till you yielded to her entreaties respecting 
 the Baron dePointz." 
 
 *^ And did that render it necessary,'' said 
 the king, hastily, for thee to breathe thy 
 amorous vows and warm kisses?" 
 
 ** Spare me, my Liege," interrupted Fal- 
 conberg, " unless you would force me to 
 disgrace myself, by stabbing the traitor at 
 my feet! — Begone, viper, I shame to have 
 ever loved thee!" 
 
 *^ My Lord," said de Mowbray, fixing 
 his eyes with marking contempt on the 
 king, "when your grace next condescends 
 to listen, you would do well to be yet more 
 observant; — no vows were uttered, — and 
 for the kiss imprinted on the hand of the 
 Lady Christabelle, not those you bestov/ 
 on the lips of Eleanor, your queen, are 
 more chaste, though they may ber^more 
 cold." ||P 
 
 ^^Bear 
 
THE CEOSS. 6 I 
 
 ^' Bear him away ! bear him away !'* ex- 
 claimed the king,, pas&ionately, '' or with 
 my own hand I will strike him to the 
 heart! — Take his sword, and break it be- 
 fore his face, for he hath disgraced it." 
 
 " De Mowbray, who h^ad risen from the 
 baron's feet, retreated a few steps, and 
 drawing, his weapon replied, — 
 
 ^' The man who advances receives it 
 through his heart. — My life is of no value, 
 I set it at nought, yet will I sell it dearly; 
 but a few words and I have done. — This 
 sword, my Lord, was my father's, it hath 
 done your Highness good service, for 
 often hath it been stained with the blood 
 of your enemies; beware, therefore, how 
 you disgrace it. From the Baron Fal- 
 conberg I received it, and, not dishonoured 
 by me, to him only will I resign it," so 
 saying, he approached the baron^. and lay- 
 ing the sword at his feetj "accept^" con- 
 tinued 
 
62 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 tinned he, *' I conjure you, my Lord, the 
 last, and only gift I have to bestow. My 
 life, I see is devoted ; I have offended the 
 king, how^ his own heart can best ac- 
 knowledge. For this sword, my Lord, 
 keep it, I pray ye, till you meet with one 
 who loves and honours you equal to Robert 
 de Mowbray ; in such hands, and in your 
 cause I trust it will prove invinciSJjr Now 
 I am ready to obey the king's cdgQma»ds, 
 lead the way." ff. 
 
 *' The attendants yimiilldiately sur- 
 rounded de Mowbray, and calling for 
 horses prepared to depart, but they had 
 scarcely reached the terrace of the castle, 
 when, with a mien that betokened the 
 anguish of her mind, Christabelle rushed 
 forth,— 
 
 *' Miserable wretch that I am," wildly 
 exclaimed she, *' I have undone thee! — 
 To save myself, I have devoted thee to 
 
 destruction ! 
 
THE CROSS. 63 
 
 destruction ! — But we will die together^ — I 
 alone am guilty, and will share the for- 
 feiture." 
 
 " Dearest maid be calm/' replied de 
 Mowbray, '^ all yet will be well ; to see thee 
 thus^ imposes a more bitter pang than all 
 that Henry can inflict." 
 
 ^' The king, with Falconberg and the 
 courtiers, had followed those who were to 
 convey xle Mowbray from the castle, and 
 now appeared in sight from the terrace. 
 
 *' They come," exclaimed Christabelle, 
 ^' and I have but a moment ; take my 
 bracelet, de Mowbray, I give it as a pledge, 
 that should the vengeance of the king, or 
 of de Pointz, treacherously assail thy life, 
 I will save thee, or perish 1" 
 
 *' De Mowbray attempted to speak, but 
 she prevented him, by saying, — 
 
 " Not a word, it is useless, they are here; 
 — I will brave their utmost malice, and 
 
 shew. 
 
64 , THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 shew, that if they dare strike thee, they will 
 blight their own fell projects; — the king 
 his lascivious designs, and the Baron de 
 Pointz the desire of encreasing his wealth/* 
 
 " The king's voice was now heard, 
 threatening vengeance on those who had 
 the care of de Mowbray, for not hastening, 
 their departure. Taking, therefore, a 
 hasty leave of the agonized Christabelle, he 
 tore himself from lier. 
 
 " By this time the king and his party had 
 nearly reached the terrace, while Christa- 
 belle, naturally timid as the fawn, and 
 gentle as the dove, appeared suddenly to 
 have changed her character. She threw 
 back the glossy ringlets of her hair that 
 fell in disorder on her forehead, and wiping 
 the tears from her eyes, with a firm coun- 
 tenance waited the approach of her father. 
 On seeing her, he exclaimed, — 
 
 " Bane 
 
THE CROSS. 65 
 
 *• Bane of my honour and disgrace to 
 my name^ what do'st thou here? — Begone! 
 lest I forget myself and strike thee." 
 
 " It would be the first time in my life, 
 my Lord,'* answered she, with a composure 
 that astonished all, *^ and Heaven forefend 
 that I should deserve it now. I staid 
 merely to clear myself from slanders which 
 I judge are imputed to me, and which, I 
 surmise, have involved Robert de Mowbray 
 in my disgrace. If there is guilt, my Lord, 
 it is mine only; — I sought him, I pressed 
 him to guard me to the convent of Au- 
 gustines, till you released me from the en- 
 thral ment of the Baron de Polntz. For 
 himself, he purposed to join the soldiers of 
 the cross, and journey to the Holy Land. 
 Friendless and poor, I, with sisterly affec- 
 tion, pressed him to accept my jewels, but 
 with obstinate firmness he declined, the 
 offer. Your Grace," added she, turning 
 
66 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 to the king, '' overheard the discourse^ is- 
 not my account true?" 
 
 " Monstrous effrontery/* interrupted 
 the baron, '' to brave me thUvS to my face; 
 again I command thee to begone, before 
 passion transports me too far.** 
 
 " I will, my Lord, but first I must 
 profit by this opportunity ; — why the king 
 is de Mowbray's enemy, I well know.— - 
 A letter '* 
 
 *' Lady,'* interrupted the king, who 
 doubtless feared that his lascivious offer 
 would be disclosed, ^' did you study to 
 double my anger against that traitorous^ 
 youth, you could not more effectually do 
 it, than by thus warmly pleading for him. 
 It is at once an insult to your king and to 
 your father. — Would you take my coun- 
 sel, be silent^ — if you proceed, by my soul, 
 he dies.*' 
 
 *^ Christabelle 
 
THE CROSS. 67 
 
 *^ Christabelle shuddered, and her fears 
 for de Mowbray defeated her resolution of 
 discovering all to the baron. 
 
 '* If it is your Grace's pleasure- he should 
 bleed/* replied she, after a pause, *' he 
 must submit; — but I shall consider myself 
 as the cause of his death, and will not 
 survive him." 
 
 ** Folly hath made her mad," said the 
 baron, '* call her women and force her 
 hence to her chamber." 
 
 *•■ As he spoke, he with the king, left the 
 terrace, and the female attendants led the 
 Lady Christabelle to her apartment. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
6s THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 CHAPTER irr. 
 
 The Chronicle continued, 
 
 X HE wound of de Pointz, though 
 dangerous, was not mortal, and being of a 
 healthy constitution, he spefdily shewed 
 signs of «mendment; while the king in 
 the mean time, perhaps to conceal his 
 former designs, warmly seconded his cause 
 with Falconberg. Aware of Christabelle's 
 intention of leaving the castle, she was 
 constantly watched, and buried in the so- 
 litude 
 
THE CROSS. 6q 
 
 litacie of her own chamber, devoted her 
 time to prayers and tears ; while de 
 Mowbray, conveyed to the castle of York, 
 was kept close prisoner, and by the king's 
 order loaded with fetters. After a stay of 
 a month at tlie castle of Latimer, the king 
 returned to York, first warmly recom- 
 mending it to the Baron Falconberg to 
 espouse his daughter to de Pointz, as the 
 only means to detach her from de Mow- 
 bray. De Pointz he also advised to persist 
 in his suit, as such a youthful attachment 
 would be soon overcome; and so much 
 wealth and beauty was too material to be 
 given up for the trifle they had overheard, 
 especially as it was plain her character 
 was not tarnished by any dishonourable 
 intercourse. 
 
 '^ This advice was too consonant to the 
 wishes of de Pointz for it to be neglected ; 
 — ^it also was agreeable to Falconberg, 
 
 who 
 
70 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 who more than ever desired to see hi^ 
 daughter wedded, and clear from the 
 shame which he conceived hung over her. 
 
 '^ At times it was plain he felt for de 
 Mowbray; but exasperated at his daring 
 to look so high as his daughter, and yet 
 more to be deceived, he resolved to 
 abandon him to his fate, which, to do him 
 justice, he never could believe would be 
 <^Ieath. 
 
 *' De Pointz, able to quit his chamber, 
 the baron peremptorily commanded his 
 daughter to receive him as her destined 
 husband, and by her, conduct to evince 
 her repentance for her former follies. 
 
 *^ Christabelle in vain pleaded, and even 
 revealed the conduct of the king; but un- 
 able to produce any proof, as she had re- 
 turned the letter, he treated the whole as 
 a fabricated story, and the more par- 
 ticularly considered it so, as Henry him- 
 self 
 
THE CRO&S. 71 
 
 self had so warmly espoused the suit of 
 de Pointz. 
 
 *' The steward of the castle, John le 
 Val, had been a vassal of the house of de 
 Mowbray, but after its failure, had for 
 many years faithfully served the Baron Fal- 
 conberg; he howevfjr could not forget his 
 attachment to his former lord, aud his 
 heart bled at the unjust persecution of his 
 son. First consulting with Christabelle, 
 he on son>e pretence gained leave of ab- 
 sence; and in disguise hastened to York, 
 where by high bribes he obtained permis- 
 sion to see de Mowbray. Though the 
 •king had no plea strong enough to bring 
 him to trial, his revenge could be satisfied 
 with nothing less than his life; for he 
 could neither forgive him possessing the 
 -affections of Christabelle Falconberg, nor 
 yet less for the marked contempt he had 
 shewn towards himself. Confined there- 
 fore 
 
72 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 fore to a loathsome dungeon, laid npon 
 straw, sparingly fed with the coarsest diet, 
 and his fiesh corroded with the irons 
 which confined his limbs, he daily de- 
 clined, and a certain, though lingering 
 death was approaching. 
 
 *^ LeVal, notwithstanding all his efforts, 
 could procure no remission of the severity 
 with which de Mowbray was treated. The 
 keeper of the prison had received the 
 king's commands, and considered his own 
 life would pay the forfeit, should he relax 
 ought of his harshness; all therefore le 
 VaKs friendship could effect was to cheer 
 his spirits, by accounts that Christabelle 
 was well, and that the baron's displeasure 
 had abated. He also ventured to advise 
 submission to the king, but the inflam- 
 mable spirit of the youth took fire at the 
 bare idea; and he declared he woold ra- 
 ther 
 
THE CIVOSS. 73 
 
 Iher perish in tortures, than by either word 
 or deed retract a syllable he had uttered. 
 
 ^^ On le Val's return, he could not resist 
 the pressing entreaties of Chistabelle, and 
 though strictly forbidden by de Mowbray, 
 revealed all the horrors of his situation. 
 Christabelle heard him with an emotion 
 which almost deprived her of reason; and 
 consulting Vvith le Val, she entreated him 
 to take some valuable jewels, and to once 
 more journey to York, and try whether by 
 bribes he could not effect his escape. Le 
 Val, under pretence of the sickness of his 
 brother, again visited the city; but his 
 trouble was vain, he could not then even 
 obtain a sight of the youth, whom he 
 however learned was sick of a fever, which 
 left but small hopes of his recovery. This 
 intelligence redoubled Christabelle's sor- 
 row; and pressed by her father to yield 
 to the baron's suit, she had gi^&i way to 
 VOL. I. E the 
 
74 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 the most sinful despair, had not religion 
 withheld her hand. 
 
 " Le Val had employed a man at York 
 to send him constant intelligence respecting 
 the health of de Mowbray; and four days 
 after his return to the castle, he received 
 the news that he lay in the last extremity. 
 Christabelle on hearing these tidings shed 
 no tears, but despair marked her features; 
 and raising her eyes wildly, she exclaimed, — 
 
 *' 1 will yet make an effort to save him, 
 — if one must be the victim it shall be 
 myself!" 
 
 " So saying, she left le Val; and hastily 
 craving leave to speak with her father, at- 
 tended him alone in his chamber. 
 
 '^ My Lord," said she undauntedl}^ 
 *^ y(3u have, for a considerable time, 
 pressed me, both by anger and entreaty, to 
 receive the Baron de Pointz as my lord 
 and husband; and I have as constantly 
 
 refused^ 
 
THE CROSS. 75 
 
 refused, because I could not give him my 
 heart. Both you and himself, however, 
 appear to consider tliat a secondary object; 
 or regard me as a changeling, who know 
 not my own mind. Observe, my Lord, 
 I promise nothing, but to act as duty and 
 honour require; and now will declare on 
 Avhat conditions I will yield to your desire 
 and give him my hand." 
 
 " Falconberg gazed on her with asto- 
 nishment! even proud and haughty as he 
 naturally was, her determined manner filled 
 him with wonder; but willing to soothe 
 her to a compliance with his wishes, he 
 calmly asked her what those demands 
 were, as there was nothing in reason he 
 could refuse to grant. 
 
 " If it be not too much then, my Lord," 
 replied she, " please you to give me a pa- 
 tient hearing. First then I demand, that 
 your interest and that of the Baron de 
 E 2 Pointz; 
 
76 THE PILGRIM X)F 
 
 Pointz be united to liberate Robert de 
 Mowbray, whom I again declare is free 
 from blame. I promise for him, for I am 
 convinced that he will not refuse, that he 
 shall depart with the first crusade for the 
 Holy Land, as was his intention; and 
 -moreover I promise not to see him before 
 his departure.*' 
 
 " I know not that I have interest v^'ith 
 the king, sufficient to procure his liberty,*^ 
 replied the baron; '^ besides, I have heard 
 he was dangerously sick at York." 
 
 '^ Should he be dead," answered she, 
 with an anguish she could not suppress, 
 '^my demand is void, and my promise also." 
 ^'^It is well," said the baron, angrily, 
 ^^ that thou premised patience, for I find 
 t?hat I shall need it. Is Robert de Mow- 
 bray more to thee th^n all the world ? — 
 Degenerate girl! where is that maidenly 
 modesty which is the crown of thy sex?" 
 
THE CROS&. 77 
 
 *^In my heart, I trust, my Lord. — You 
 ask, if Robert de Mowbray be more to me 
 than all the world? — No! my first duty 
 and affection isyour's; and in every action 
 of my life, where obedience is consistent 
 with the innate principle which Heaven- 
 hath implanted in my heart, I will impli- 
 citly obey it. Nature gave me no brother, 
 but educated with de Mowbray from my 
 infancy, I learned to consider him as such, 
 and with sisterly friendship, confided ia 
 him both my pleasures and my^sorrow?. 
 This fatal confidence, alas! hath undone 
 him ; and I now feel my honour, as well as 
 my affection, interested for his liberation. — 
 Even suppose that effected, and his health 
 restored, v^hich perhaps is impossible, what 
 reparation can I make for robbing him of 
 your paternal friendship, and by that de- 
 privation blighting all the prospects of his^ 
 youth ?**^ 
 
 E3 ^^Hi^ 
 
78 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 *^ His own duplicity has bereft him oi 
 my affection," answered the baron; " and 
 the king is so exasperated at his ingratitude 
 to me, and the insolent manner in which he 
 hath behaved to hiin, that I am convinced 
 it would be vain. to entreat his pardon." 
 
 '• The king," replied she, '' would have 
 pardoned his ingratitude to you, had he 
 used it to forward his lascivious intercourse 
 with your daughter." 
 
 ^' Out upon such slander!" replied the 
 baron, *^ thou knovvest I believe it not." 
 
 ^' You have degraded me, my Lord, by 
 supposing me a liar; but hereafter you may. 
 learn, that Christabelle Falconberg, though 
 a weak and powerless woman, despises a lie 
 as much as doth her noble father. Had his 
 base project succeeded with me, would it 
 have been tbe first time that he hath 
 broken his marriage vows? — Would it 
 have been the first time that he hath vio- 
 lated 
 
THE CROSS, 79 
 
 lated the sacred laws of hospitality ? — No, 
 my Lord ! — -Remember Dame Blewit, — 
 neither her being a wife or mother re- 
 strained his unlicenced desires. — Remem- 
 ber the daughter of Lord ClilFord, match- 
 less in virtue as in beauty till defiled by 
 him. Recal these to your memory^ and 
 various others, whom though I may not 
 vie with in beauty, I may equal in the mis- 
 fortune of being pleasing in his sight.'* 
 
 *^ The baron appeared struck with the 
 words of his daughter. 
 
 " Should what you affirm be true," re- 
 plied he, after a pause, ^* it doubly re- 
 quires me to select, and you to receive, a 
 honourable husband ; one whose high birth 
 and rank, conjoined with the wealth and 
 power of the house of Falconberg, will 
 throw at a distance all dishonest views. — 
 Henry's power is great, but that of his 
 barons is greater; and so necessary is their 
 E 4 friendship 
 
so THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 friendship to the peace and maintenance 
 of his state, that he will never, by a glaring 
 act of dishonour and injustice, com})el them 
 to forsake his interest. The Baron de 
 Pointz possesses all those qualities which I 
 would wish to distinguish my son-in-law j 
 by accepting him you will obliterate the 
 blot your folly respecting de Mowbray has 
 affixed on your character, gratify the wishes 
 of the parent who gave you life, and cause 
 his grey hairs tp descend with honour and 
 peace to the grave." 
 
 ^' There was an unusual tenderness in 
 the voice of the baron, — it sunk at once 
 into the susceptible heart of his daughter, 
 who threw herself at his feet. 
 
 *^ Oh, my father!'* exclaimed she, *^ I 
 will devote myself to make you happy ; let 
 but the life of de Mowbray be preserved, 
 and dispose of me as you please." 
 
 '' The 
 
THE CROSS, 81 
 
 *^ The baron raised her hi his arms, — 
 
 " At least/' said he, ^^ I will use my 
 endeavours, as shall also de Pointz." 
 
 " There is yet something more," said 
 she, ^' I would wish never to go to court ; 
 the castle of Latimer is my natural home, 
 and never shall I willingly leave it.'* 
 
 '^ As thou wilt, — this castle is thine; I 
 shall retire to the domain appertaining to 
 my name.'* 
 
 '^ Oh, no, for then would it lose all its 
 attractions; — a miser doth not love the 
 casket for itself, but for the sake of the 
 jewel it contains, and thus do I love the 
 castle of Latimer." 
 
 *^ The baron, who had not expected so 
 sudden a submission from his daughter, 
 was so well satisfied, that he was ready to 
 grant whatever she required; and as the 
 king was yet at York, he promised to use 
 his influence with de Pointz, and jointly to 
 E 5 exert 
 
82 THE PILGRI!^ OP 
 
 exert their interest for the release of the 
 prisoner. 
 
 " Do Pointz was not so willing to enter 
 into the design of liberating de Mowbray 
 as the baron had been ; his pride had re- 
 ceived a rankling wound at the tournament, 
 and knowing him to be a beloved rival, 
 made him doubly hateful. Yet the firm- 
 ness of Christabelle rendered it clear that 
 there was no other way, and to obtain her 
 on any terms was too flattering to his love, 
 pride, and interest, to be easily given up; 
 jnaking, therefore, a virtue of what he 
 could not avoid, he assured Christabelle, 
 that her wishes were to him commands., 
 and that he would devote his life and for- 
 tune to fulfil them. 
 
 '* This point arranged, Falconberg and 
 de Pointz departed for York, where, on 
 their arrival, they found de Mowbray still 
 living; the natural strength of his con- 
 stitution 
 
THE CROSS. 83 
 
 stitution had overcome the violence of the 
 disease, but at the ?ame time he was so 
 greatly reduced, that it was evident, that 
 unless he had the advantage of proper air, 
 food, and exercise, he must still fall a vic- 
 tim to its ravages. 
 
 '^ Henry was inexorable to their joint 
 entreaties, nor would they have been suc- 
 cessful, had not Falconberg fortunately 
 thought of interesting Prince Richard in 
 favour of his suit. The prince had lately 
 returned from France, and somewhat more 
 reconciled with his father than he had 
 been for a considerable time past, was pre- 
 paring for a crusade. First prepossessed 
 by Falconberg for the youth who lay so 
 severely under his father's displeasure, he 
 questioned some of the nobles, and from 
 them received such an account of de 
 Mowbray's spirit, valour, and gallant con- 
 duct^ together with some suspicions that 
 
 had 
 
84 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 had arisen from his freedom with the king, 
 and in return the rancourous hatred which 
 Henry shewed towards him, that the prince 
 entertained no doubt of the real cause of 
 the offence, and in consequence resolved 
 to procure his liberation. 
 
 ^' Attending the king at a public audi- 
 ence he considered as the best time to 
 bring forward his suit, and accordingly 
 seized that opportunity to prefer it. 
 
 " My Liege,'* said the prince, '^ T have 
 a boon to crave. — A party of pilgrims, un- 
 der an escort of fifteen hundred men, de- 
 ])art in a few days for the Holy Land, they 
 will prepare the way for me ; but I want a 
 valiant commander to lead them on, and- 
 must beg you to furnish me in this emer- 
 gency." 
 
 '^The king, who had no suspicion that 
 the prince knew ought respecting de Mow- 
 bray, replied,— 
 
 '' Point 
 
THE CROSS. 85 
 
 , " Point out the man thou vvishest, I give 
 him freeHberty, be he whom it may." 
 
 ^^ I will ask no man whoin I know ne- 
 cessary to yoiir Highness'^ state," replied 
 he, '* but one who can be well spared, and 
 who hath nothing but valour to recommend 
 him." 
 
 '' Name him," said the king, '^ have I 
 not given my word? — Do'st thou dispute 
 my honour ?" 
 
 " No, my Lord, I firmly rely upon it.— 
 Robert de Mowbray is the man ; from 
 every quarter I hear he is brave, and skilful 
 in arms. He hath the misfortune to lan- 
 guish under your Highness's displeasure, 
 and I am resolved to give him an oppor- 
 tunity to regain your good-will, by his 
 conduct in this expedition." 
 
 *^ Never ! " answered Henry. — ^^ Pre- 
 sumptuous boy, though thou hast unfairly 
 obtained my word, it shall be sacred. — He 
 
 is 
 
8# THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 is free, but let him depart; for, by my 
 soul, if he be found at large in this king- 
 dom, after twelve days are elapsed, he dies." 
 
 ^' Richard made no r^ply. — Falconberg 
 felt real pleasure,, and de Pointz also, as it 
 gave him assurance of his success with 
 Christabelle, and at the same time removed 
 his rival in all probability for ever from 
 her.. 
 
 ^' De Mowbray was immediately released, 
 Falconberg himself being the messenger of 
 the welcome tidings of his liberation, 
 which, he assured the youth, was entirely 
 owing to the prince; carefully concealixig 
 the interest Christabelle had taken in pro- 
 curing his freedom, and yet more parti- 
 cularly avoiding the name of de Pointz. — 
 
 '' And now, de Mowbray," continued 
 the baron, " I expect that thou pledge thy 
 honour to me to hold no communication 
 with my daughter," 
 
THE CROSS* ST' 
 
 *^ De Mowbray sighed, — 
 
 " Say then, my Lord, that you will not 
 force her to receive the hand of the Baron 
 dePointz, against hervvill^ and I will swear 
 to' whatever you req„aire,. and most faith>- 
 fully keep my oath." 
 
 '^ I will, no farther than persuasion^ of 
 that I give thee my word. — And now, de 
 Mowbray, to shew thee I have not been an 
 improvident steward of the little thy fiither 
 left, I am willing, to account with thee. — 
 Though not rich^ thou hast sufficient to 
 fit thee for the crusade, as becomes thy 
 birth and the pupil of the Baron Falcoa- 
 berg. — I would that thou hadst not ren- 
 dered it necessary that we should hereafter 
 be strangers, but so. it must be. — In pursuit 
 of glory, thou wilt, I trust, forget the 
 boyish folly that hath broken our friend- 
 ship; — and Christabelle, by thy absence 
 recalled to duty and a sense of what is dae 
 
 to 
 
Sa THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 to her own honour, will obliterate the- 
 blemish cast upon her fame." 
 
 '• De Mowbray would listen to no ac« 
 count of what increase the baron had made 
 of his small patrimony; — he insisted that 
 it was greatly inadequate to the expense 
 the baron had been at for his education, 
 and entreated that it might remain in his- 
 hands. — The baron was, however, pe- 
 remptory, and the dispute at length ter- 
 minated by de Mowbray's receiving in 
 part, a hundred marks for present expenses, 
 and leaving the rest in the care of his 
 patron. 
 
 *' De Mowbray, somewhat recovered, 
 hastened to pay his duty to Prince Richard, 
 who received him with the kindness of a 
 friend rather than with the superiority of a 
 master; and after conversing some time on 
 common subjects, said, with a smile, to one 
 of his attendants, — 
 
 ''In 
 
THE CROSS. 8g 
 
 *^ In faith, if, as I suspect, there was a 
 lady In the dispute between my father and 
 de Mowbray, I cannot blame him for en- 
 deavouring to remove so dangerous a rival/* 
 
 ** De Mowbray, received among the fol- 
 lowers of the prince, was necessitated to 
 prepare for his departure by the time ap- 
 pointed by the king. Falconberg and de 
 Pointz had left York as soon as the former 
 had obtained his suit, and de Mowbray had 
 in vain waited with anxious impatience for 
 some tidings from John le Val. He was, 
 however, disappointed, for the good old 
 man, wearied with his journeys to York, 
 and distressed for the state of liis youthful 
 master, as he ever called him, had fallen 
 sick, and for a considerable time languished 
 under a fever which rendered him incapable 
 of either exerting himself, or employing any 
 other person* 
 
 « At 
 
QO- THE PTLGRIM OP 
 
 " At this period it was that de Mowbray 
 ^vas obliged to depart; he was careful of 
 the promise of not corresponding with 
 Christabelle, but he wrote to her father and 
 also to Je VaL In the first he repeated 
 what he had before told the baron res- 
 pecting the design of the Lady Christabelle 
 to retire to a convent; entreated him, as 
 he valued his own future peace, or hh 
 daughter's happiness, not to force her into 
 a marriage she abhorred r and finally as- 
 sured him, that neither her nor himself had 
 ever the most distant intention of acting 
 with the duplicity the king accused them oL 
 
 *^ Had I, my Lord,'* concluded he, *^ the 
 wealth of England at my command, and 
 the joint honours of its nobles combined in 
 my single person, I would then have 
 humbly entreated the approbation of the 
 Baron Falconberg in my suit to his daugh- 
 ter.^ — But de Mowbray, the child of the 
 
 biiTOn'^- 
 
THE CROSS, gT 
 
 baron's bounty, never, even for a moment, 
 forgot himself to look so high; he only 
 adored in humble silence, not with the 
 flattering hope of possessing her, but with 
 sentiments of love, respect, and veneration 
 as pure, as those which pilgrims feel for 
 their patron saints/' 
 
 ^^ Such was the purport of de Mowbray *s 
 letter to the baron, that to le Val ran thus; 
 
 *^ Robert de Moiuhray to his ancient friend 
 John le Phi, greeting, — 
 
 ^^ I hav;e in vain anxiously expected 
 to hear from thee, and now leave England 
 with a heavy heart, being entirely ignorant 
 of the fate of the heiress of Latimer. — For 
 myself, I am under tlie protection ofPrince 
 Richard, and could be happy were I assured 
 she was so; — but master of the world, 
 without that assurance, my heart would be 
 sad, and the shadows of selfish greatness 
 
 and. 
 
§2 trilE PILGRIM OF 
 
 and pleasure appear but fascinating dreams- 
 to beguile remembrance from a nobler 
 object. I send this by an especial mes- 
 senger, by whom I pray thee return me an 
 answer. The baron hath my promise not 
 to write to Christabelle; — I have his, that 
 further than by persuasion,, he will leave 
 iiis daughter free. May every blessed angel 
 shield and guide her, and keep thee also, 
 my good friend, in their holy protection. 
 
 ROBERT DE MOWBRAY.'* 
 
 " The messenger who brought this> 
 letter to le Val, found him at extremity^ 
 and as he was necessitated to return imme- 
 diately, was obliged to leave it in the care 
 of one of the fathers oC the neighbouring 
 monastery. In answer to some enquiries 
 he made in the vicinity of the castle, he 
 learned that the Baron Falconbetg and his 
 daughter were alone^ that tliere had been 
 
 a 
 
 ^ 
 
THE CROSS. 93 
 
 ii report of the Lady Christabelle being to 
 ■he wedded to the Baron de Pointz, but 
 Ihat lately all had been silent on the sub- 
 juct. Such was the only information de 
 Mowbray could procure the night before 
 he embarked for France, from whence he 
 was to take his final departure for the Holy 
 Land, with part of the troops, and a number 
 of pilgrims under their escort. 
 
 ^^On the return of the Baron Falconberg 
 and de Pointz, from York to tb.e castle of 
 Latimer, he informed his daughter of 
 all that had passed, and claimed her pro- 
 mise of giving her hand to the Baron de 
 Pointz. Rejoiced as she really felt at the 
 liberation of de Mowbray, the sacrifice 
 that was demanded in return recurred with 
 redoubled bitterness, when her mind was 
 freed from the distraction she had before 
 given way to for the fate of de Mowbray ; 
 but, true to her promise, she only requested 
 
§4 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 a month *« respite, when she would yield 
 herself to his wishes. 
 
 ^- This period the Baron de Pointz de- 
 voted to some family business on his own 
 domain; and daring this interval it was that 
 de Mowbray's messenger had arrived at 
 the castle of Latimer, where the sickness 
 of le Val prevented him receiving more 
 accurate information. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CROSS. ©5 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 l.lie Chronicle continued, 
 
 X HE given time elapsed, de Polntz 
 hastened to claim his bride, who, true to 
 her promise, received him as the man her^ 
 father designed for her husband ; yet^ too 
 noble to suffer him to deceive himself, the 
 evening before the espousals took place, 
 she thus addressed him : — 
 
 ^^ At my father's command, my Lord, I 
 am ready to accept you for my husband, 
 
 but 
 
<)6 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 but cannot flatter you by saying my heart 
 feels no repugnance to this union. How» 
 «ver, I <:an promise; never to for- 
 get that the honour of the houses of de 
 Pointz and Falconberg are in my keeping; 
 to the best of my ability will I support that 
 trusty and, if it be possible, teach my heart 
 the reality, as vv^ll as the semblance of 
 affection and duty.'" 
 
 '^ Tlie Baron declared, that if tenderness 
 and attention could win her heart, he did 
 not despair of gaining it, as it should be the 
 business of his life to make her happy. 
 
 "And now," added she, '^ I have but 
 one request, which is, that the Baron de 
 Pointz should gke me a bond to leave me 
 my free choice of living at the castle of 
 Latimer; — for never, so prosper me 
 Heaven, will I visit the court of King 
 Henry 1 This indulgence I expect to be 
 granted.'* 
 
 "De 
 
THE cr.ojs. 9-7 
 
 ^^ De Pointz, who either did not con« 
 slder the extent of the request, or thoiiglit 
 time would divert her from it, immediately 
 consented, and in tlie presence of her father, 
 and the superior of the neighbouring mo- 
 nastery, gave a bond to leave her ever at 
 free will respecting her residence. 
 
 '^ This point adjusted, the marriage was 
 solemnized on the following day. — Pre- 
 vious to the ceremony taking place, as the 
 Lady Christabelle knelt before the altar, 
 she said, in a low voice^ to the priest who 
 attended, — 
 
 *^Take notice, father, if there be sin in 
 the repugnance that I feel on this occasion, 
 I am not to blame ; fatal necessity compeL-j 
 me to give my hand without my heart." 
 
 ^^ The priest replied by shewing her the 
 
 extent of filial duty; and with a forced 
 
 composure, she collected her spirits, and 
 
 united her fate with that of de Pointz. 
 
 VOL. I. F '' The 
 
98 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 ^^ The barons were at the height of their 
 wishes, but a heavy languor that hung on 
 the baroness shewed she suffered internally. 
 — Le Val, in the mean time, unexpected by 
 every one, slowly recovered his health and 
 reason, and received from the friar the 
 letter of de Mowbray, which had been in- 
 trusted to his care; he shewed it^to the 
 baroness, and it vserved to increase the me- 
 lancholy that oppressed her. 
 
 " / will reply to this,*' answered she, 
 ^^ and must request, le Val, that you never 
 let the secret escape you, that to save the 
 life of that unhappy youth I espoused the 
 baron. — It could answer no purpose but 
 addins: encreased sorrow to his mind." 
 
 " Le Val promised to be guided by her, 
 and she wrote to the following purport, le 
 Val sending the letter to France by a vessel 
 which was bouad for that country :— 
 
 ^^The 
 
THE CROSS. gg 
 
 *•■' The Baroness de Po'intz, to her esteemed 
 friend and brother, Robert de Mowbray. 
 
 " Though seas already divide 
 us, and soon that distance will be increased 
 beyond all power of hearing of your welfare, 
 be assured, my beloved brother, that 
 Christabelle will never forget the friend of 
 her youth, nor neglect a prayer for his 
 safety and happiness. I have suffered 
 some severe conflicts before I could bend 
 my stubborn heart to its duty; yet a con- 
 sciousness of acting uprightly has supported 
 me through the trial. The will of Heaven, 
 the commands of my father, and the dic- 
 tates of honour and gratitude, have made 
 me the wife of de Pointz. Whenever op- 
 portunity serves you will hear of my health 
 from my father, to whom I pray you write, 
 and to leVal; — I shall hear of your's by the 
 same means. In the cause you are en- 
 gaged, may Heaven guide you to honour 
 ■F 2 and 
 
100 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 and conquest ; — but let not courage and a 
 contempt of life lead you into danger. De 
 Mowbray, I flatter myself, hath many 
 happy years to come, and among the most 
 zealous and affectionate of his friends let 
 him ever consider, 
 
 CHRISTABELLE DE POINTZ/' 
 *' This letter had nearly proved fatal to 
 de Mowbray. — To him it appeared that she 
 had acquiesced willingly to the wishes of 
 her father; and if any thing could have 
 lessened her in his esteem, it would have 
 been the sudden change of sentiments that 
 had taken place. The dictates of honour 
 and gratitude, she said, had made her the 
 wife of de Pointz, an asseveration which he 
 was far from suspecting related to himself; 
 and, weary of life, he ardently longed to 
 reach Palestine, where, in the sanguinary 
 conflict that was expected to take place, he 
 
 might 
 
THE CROSS, 101 
 
 might forget^ in victory, or deaths the an- 
 guish which devoured him. 
 
 " With these ideas he wrote to no one 
 before he left France, where the prince 
 had not yet joined him ; the misunder- 
 standing between Henry and liis children 
 having increased to so great a height, that 
 the king was soon after compelled to enter 
 upon a war with France, which had leagued 
 with his sons against him^ 
 
 ''Though the Baron Falconberg had at 
 first considered himself at the height of 
 his wishes, by the marriage of his daughter, 
 yet his satisfaction was far from being 
 perfect ; — the melancholy that preyed upon 
 her, and the disposition of de Pointz, which 
 was too similar with his own, to win so 
 gentle a heart, filled him with uneasiness. 
 At the joint request of her father and 
 husband, she had visited the domains of 
 the latter^ which were situated in the 
 F 3 southerly 
 
102 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 southern part of the kingdom, but she 
 peremptorily refused to accompany him ta 
 the court of Henry, though she had re- 
 ceived a royal invitation to that purpose. 
 
 '' At the commencement of the second 
 year, she gave birth to a son, who appeared 
 a fresh tie to cement the union ; for the 
 barons viewed with pride and exultation, an 
 heir to their vast domains, while the sweet 
 baroness clasped him to her heart, and 
 nurtured him from her bosom. 
 
 '' During this interval de Mowbray had 
 reached Palestine, but the troops under liis 
 command were unequal to sustain any ad- 
 vantageous contest with the prodigious 
 armies of Saladin ; — the utmost his cou- 
 rage and skill could effect, being to protect 
 the pilgrims, and keep together his little 
 band. 
 
 '' By a vessel that brought assistance 
 from England for the troops, de Mowbray 
 
 received 
 
THE CROSS. 103' 
 
 received letters from le Val ; these informed 
 him of the birth of an heir to the house of 
 de Pointz, and spoke, as the baroness had 
 requested, of herself, as being apparently 
 happy. 
 
 ^' De Mowbray had flattered himself, 
 that if he was once assured Christabelle 
 was happy, he should be satisfied ; but it 
 was far otherwise, for though the sudden 
 change in her sentiments, as he supposed 
 it, had lessened her in his estimation, he 
 could neither cease to love, nor consider 
 her without anguish, in the possession of a 
 detested rival. 
 
 ^' The Christians were posted in an ad- 
 vantageous situation, at a few miles from 
 Joppa, awaiting a reinforcement which 
 might enable them to proceed, and from 
 v/hence the Saracens had in vain repeatedly 
 attempted to dislodge them, but had ever 
 b^en repelled with loss;- they, however, at 
 F 1 ' lengtb 
 
104 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 length succeeded by a feigned attack, for 
 though at first, as usual, they were vigor- 
 ously received, and put to flight, yet v^'hert 
 the Christians, more courageous than pru- 
 dent, rashly followed, and eager for con- 
 tjuest, pursued them far beyond the bounds 
 of their own intrenchments, they v^'ere pre- 
 sently surrounded by the innumerable hosts^ 
 of Saladin, and their retreat cut off. 
 
 *^ In this dilemma courage and resolution 
 were ineffectual ; the Ciiristians were de- 
 feated, many were slaughtered, and de 
 Mowbray himself, who had in vain en- 
 deavoured to rally his party, fell, covered 
 with wounds. 
 
 '^ Well known as the chief of the 
 Christians, he was selected from the 
 dead and wounded, and carried before the 
 Saracen commander ; who, doubtless ex- 
 pecting to gratify his avarice by an exor- 
 bitant ransom, or to satiate his revenge by 
 
 his- 
 
THE CROSS, 105 
 
 his deaths ordered him to a dwelling he 
 kept, at no great distance, for the women 
 of his seraglio. In a dungeon appertaining 
 to this building de Mowbray was thrown 
 on some straw, and his stiffened and gaping 
 wounds left to heal without human aid, or, 
 what was more probable, to mortify." 
 
 Fitz-Hugh paused, his volatile spirits 
 appeared to have flown, and his whole 
 thoughts to be concentred in the narra- 
 tive. — 
 
 '' By my life,'' said he, '^ it is a mourn- 
 ful story ; my heart bleeds for de Mowbray, 
 and not only mine hath paid that tribute, 
 for the manuscript is here greatly defaced 
 with tears." 
 
 ^^The Lady Christabelle's doubtless," 
 
 replied de Pointz, hastily passing his hand 
 
 over his manly countenance. — " If you 
 
 F 5 are 
 
106 THE PILGRIM. OF 
 
 are weary we will defer the remainder till 
 to-morrow." 
 
 '' Not so, my curiosity is too much 
 awakened/' answered Fitz-Hugh, so say- 
 ing, he resumed the parchments and 
 continued. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CilOSS, 1<^7 
 
 CHAPTER V 
 
 The Chronicle continued. 
 
 fi x^ 
 
 X OR some hoars de Mowbray re- 
 mained senseless, from which state reco- 
 vering a degree of recollection^ he consi- 
 dered himself as dying, and anxiously 
 wished for a draught of water to quench 
 his burning thirst. All was darkness 
 around him, nor had he seen any one since 
 he was thrown on the straw on which he 
 then lay. At length the faint glimmering 
 
 of 
 
108 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 of a lamp illuminated the top of his dun- 
 geon, and a female figure stood beside 
 him; she was accompanied by another 
 person who appeared a dervise^ but whose 
 face, shaded by a hood, was not discernible. 
 They first raised his head and gave him a 
 cordial which greatly revived his spirits, 
 after which they removed his garments, and 
 having washed his wounds, bound them up 
 with a balsam they had brought for that 
 purpose, though during the operation he 
 twice fainted from the loss of blood he had 
 sustained. 
 
 '^ As they removed his garment the 
 bracelet of Christabelle fell from his bosom, 
 and, though unable to speak, he clasped it 
 in his clenched hand; an action that neither 
 of his friends chose to notice, but conti- 
 nued their task till they had compleated it. 
 The female then laying her finger on her 
 lips, appeared to command silence, and 
 
 shewing 
 
THE CROSS* log 
 
 shewing him a leathern bottl^'ith cordial^ 
 and some manchets, she made him observe 
 that she concealed them among the straw^ 
 within his reach, and immediately after 
 they both left him, 
 
 '* Weary and exhausted, the refresh- 
 ment he had received procured him some 
 hours sleep, from which, when he awoke^ 
 he considered what had passed as a dream; 
 but examining his wounds and finding 
 them bound up, and the manchets and 
 cordial, in the straw, he was convinced of 
 the reality of what he had before dis- 
 believed. 
 
 " Wiiile ruminating on the subject, a 
 Saracen slave entered; he brought him 
 some coarse bread and water, which setting 
 down by his side, lie cursed him for a 
 Christian dog, in his own language, and 
 without more words left ijim, 
 
 '' This 
 
110 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 ^^ This conduct redoubled the wonder of 
 de Mowbray ; — it was plain that the visit 
 of the dervise arid the woman was by stealthy 
 and he then recollected the sign he had 
 received of silence. The whole day, when 
 pain would permit, he reflected 6n the 
 subject; but all conjecture was vain, for he 
 knew of no friend in Palestine, but among 
 the Christians, and his preservers were 
 evidently not of that faith. 
 
 '- On the close of day, de Mowbray found 
 that he had recovered the use of speech, 
 and about midnight, as nearly as he could 
 conjecture, the lamp again shone in his dun- 
 geon, and again the woman and the dervise 
 stood before him. As before, they gave 
 him cordials, and dressed his wounds with 
 great tenderness, but no word escaped 
 them; then seeking for his bottle, they, re- 
 plenished it and deposited it with the bread 
 they had brought. 
 
 ^^When 
 
THE CROSS. 1 J 1 
 
 ^'.When on the point of leaving him, he en- 
 deavoured to express his thanks, but shaking 
 their heads the woman with earnestness 
 again laid her finger on her lips, and, as on 
 the former visit, appeared to command 
 silence. 
 
 The same conduct was observed for 
 some time, both by the Saracen slave and 
 the nightly visitors. At length de Mow- 
 bray felt himself able to sit up on his straw; 
 the dungeon, he found, was extensive, and 
 lighted only by a grated aperture at the 
 top, and the door fastened, as he heard, on 
 the entrance and departure of the slave, by 
 bolts and chains on the outside. — His noc- 
 turnal friends were still silent, Sot being 
 now somewhat recovered, he resolved, on 
 the next visit to consider them attentively. 
 
 " The opportunity was not long wanting. 
 The same night they came as usual, when 
 he observed, as well as the faint light would 
 
 permit^ 
 
112 THE pilgrim: OF 
 
 permit, that the woman was of the middle 
 age, by complexion a Saracen, and by her 
 dress a slave, though of a superior cast. 
 As to the dervise, his face, as before, was 
 concealed, but his person, though bent,. 
 was tall and graceful. Eager to hear the 
 voices of his preservers, de Mowbray ad- 
 dressed his thanks in English ; when the 
 dervise replied in the French language, and 
 told him he was welcome to the attentions 
 he had received, but again conjured him to 
 be silent, as his Saracen guard might awake 
 and overhear them. The voice of the 
 dervise struck an awe on the heart of de 
 Mowbray that he could not at once over- 
 come, — it was hollow and solemn, yet soft, 
 mild, and energetic ; he thought it sa 
 calculated to speak the doctrines of reli- 
 gion, that he could almost have lamented 
 it belonged to an unbeliever. 
 
 '' He 
 
THE CROSS. ]13 
 
 *' He observed as they left him, that 
 they took away a piirt of the coarse bread 
 which his goaler had brought; a pre- 
 caution that he perfectly comprehended, 
 as by being always left, it might raise a sus- 
 picion of his receiving better fare. As the 
 approach of the Saracen was announced 
 by the harsh grating of tlie chains and 
 bolts of the dungeon, de Mowbray always 
 laid still on his straw; — that of the wo- 
 man and the dervise, on the contrary, was 
 with such careful quietness, that the lamp 
 ever first gave the signal of their entrance^ 
 and he as well as his strength would permit^, 
 Silt up to receive them. 
 
 '^ However anxious, he had never yet 
 seen the face of the stranger; but the 
 night after having heard him speak, as th>e 
 woman was dressing the wound in his arm, 
 and the dervise was supporting him, he first 
 noticed his handj and that rather from the 
 
 sensation 
 
114 THE PILGRIM or 
 
 sensation it occasioned^ than from its ap- 
 pearance. — It was clammy and cold as if 
 from the grave, and casting his eyes upon 
 it, the tight was sufficient to shew that the 
 skin, of a ghastly whiteness, was the only 
 covering of the veins, sinews, and bones 
 that lay under it. That night they held 
 no conversation; and the conjectures of 
 de Mowbray employed a part of the mor- 
 row.^ — He had iieard of the mortifications 
 the dervises impose upon themselves, and 
 could attribute his appearance to no other 
 cause. His visitors were the ensuing night 
 later than usual, but they appeared to en- 
 ter with less caution; and having per- 
 formed their accustomed duty, and given 
 him more substantial food than they had 
 hitherto done, the dervise addressed him 
 thus, — 
 
 '' I shall seize this opportunity to con- 
 verse a short time with yoU;, for your guard 
 
 lies- 
 
 •t«f 
 
THE CRQS3. 115 
 
 lies in a sound sleep under the intoxication- 
 of opium. You perhaps will wonder to 
 hear me speak French, but I have no time 
 now to satisfy your curiosity ; I wish to 
 serve you, and will devote the time to that 
 purpose only.** 
 
 " De Mowbray attempted to express his 
 thanks, but the dervise interrupted him by 
 continuing, — '' I wish to be informed of 
 your sentiments. — Known to be the chief 
 of the Christian party, an exorbitant ran- 
 som is expected, which if not paid, the 
 most galliiig slavery, or death,, will be your 
 portion. — One step alone can save you, — 
 embrace the Saracen faith ; in your person 
 Saladin will triumph over the Christians, 
 ail d raise you to wealth and honour.'* 
 
 '^ De Mowbray had scarcely patience to 
 hear the conclusion : — 
 
 '^ When I accept his mercy on such 
 term*s,'* replied he, passionately, '^ may I 
 
 be 
 
11 6'^ O'HE PILGRIM or 
 
 be cursed by earth and Heaven! may mf 
 name be held in detestation by the Chris- 
 tians, and my person live in derision among 
 the Iiitidels! may " 
 
 *' The skeleton hand of the dervise 
 hastily crossed over the lips of de Mow- 
 bray, and prevented his continuance: — 
 
 *' I thought,'* said he, gently,. '^ that 
 among the tenets of your faith, you vverai 
 forbidden, to swear, and exhorted to 
 patience.*' 
 
 " The reproach is just/' answered he;^ 
 " but say, was it for this, you with such 
 tender care preserved me from death? — 
 Would you have me purchase a few years 
 of hateful life at the expense of my soul ? 
 No ! take off these bandages from my half 
 closed wounds — take back the nutriment 
 you have brought me — leave me to my 
 fatQ; — my life is detestable to me, I am 
 
 weary 
 
THE CROSS. 1 17 
 
 ^'cary of the burthen, and long to lay it 
 down/' 
 
 *' Again," replied the dervise, " or I 
 iTiistake, you stray from the doctrines of 
 your fiiith, — do they not command you to 
 bear with the evils of life ? much less have 
 you a right to lay it down at pleasure. — 
 Though sorrow- may shake the earthly 
 rnansion, the immortal soul of a good man 
 remains immovable, and he feels, in a sub- 
 mission to the will of his Creator, a rccom- 
 oense for dil his suffering's.'* 
 
 '' De Mowbray gazed on the dervise 
 with a sentiment of respect, which he 
 could not repress. — 
 
 '' Father," replied he, ^^ I owe you ob- 
 ligations that can never be repaid. How- 
 ever we may differ in externals, I trust at 
 the final account, when both our souls shall 
 be cleansed from their mortal sins^ we may 
 meet in peace and blessedness." 
 
 « The 
 
118 THE PILGrxIM OF 
 
 ^' The dervise passed his hands across 
 liis breast, and bowed dev.outly. — 
 
 " Consider well of what I have said, 
 till to-morrow night/' replied he, '' time 
 may change your resolution." 
 
 *^ Never! — I grieve that you think so 
 meanly of me. — You justly reproved me 
 for swearing, I will not therefore repeat it ; 
 but will, notvv'ithstanding,. assure you, that 
 not all the malice of men, or devils, shall 
 change my faith. You, father, are doubt- 
 less attached to your's, though erroneous; 
 and I should in vain endeavour to make 
 you think as I do, or w^ith what pleasure 
 I would testify my gratitude to you at the 
 expense of my life." 
 
 '* Ml) belief is not erroneous," replied 
 the dervise, " it was the faith of my fa- 
 thers, I imbibed it even at my mother's 
 breast, it grew with my years, and in- 
 creased with my strength; and if ought 
 
 could 
 
THE CROSS. 1 ]g 
 
 could add to th« veneration I feel for it, it 
 would be the support and consolation it 
 hath afforded me during the space of almost 
 twenty years severe affliction. But for the 
 present we must part, to-morrow we shall 
 meet again, for your guard never fails at 
 night to chew opium, till his senses are lost 
 in intoxication." 
 
 '^ With these words the dervise and his 
 companion left the dungeon, which, as 
 usual, they carefully fastened after them. 
 
 '^ The mind of de Mowbray still dwelt 
 on the dervise, — he felt he owed- him his 
 life; and though he detested his belief, 
 the gentleness of his manner and demeanor' 
 filled him with respect. The concealment 
 of his face he was now reconciled to, as he 
 conjectured it was occasioned by his having 
 practised some austerities upon it that had 
 rendered it frightful; a custom frequent 
 among the dervises and fakirs^ though little 
 
 calculated 
 
120 THE PILGIlirvI OP 
 
 calculated to make proselytes In more 
 polished nations. 
 
 The Saracen attended as usiial^ grum- 
 bling to himself at the trouble he sustained, 
 though it was simply bringing the bread 
 and water; however^ as he attempted no 
 personal insult, de Mowbray was satisfied 
 to preserve silence, or pretend not to com- 
 prehend him, as he, in truth, knew but 
 few words in the Saracen language, and 
 these merely acquired since his arrival in 
 Palestine. 
 
 '' Left to himself, and a prey to the 
 most bitter reflections, even the loss of li- 
 berty, and the sufferings he had to expect, 
 employed less of his thoughts than the 
 situation of the heiress of Latimer. — ^That 
 she should be so greatly changed, appeared 
 to exceed his belief; yet he possessed the 
 assurance under her own hand, and she 
 
 was 
 
THE CROSS. 121 
 
 was now a mother, and her fate Irrevocably 
 fixed with that of de Pointz. 
 
 '' I shall never see, nor hear of her 
 more!'* exclaimed he, in an agony of 
 grief; ^' but she will learn that in the de- 
 feat of the troops under my guidance, I 
 fell, or was taken prisoner, and she will 
 weep and pray for me, for her gentle heart 
 cannot forget the friendship of our early 
 years! — Ah! no," continued he, after a 
 pause, " she will be ashamed to weep for 
 de Mowbray in the presence of the 
 L haughty de Pointz ; and will strive to for- 
 " get me, amidst the smiles of her son, and 
 the caresses of her husband ! " 
 
 VOL. I. G CHAPTER 
 
122 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 The Chronicle continued. 
 
 "Ti 
 
 HE dervise and the Saracen woman 
 at midnight paid their usual visit; and so 
 necessary are the ties of society to the hu- 
 man heart, that de Mowbray had learned 
 to expect them with impatience. On 
 dressing his wounds, the dervise observed 
 they were in a forward state of amendment. 
 *^ They are not expected to be so/* 
 added he^ *^ from the information which 
 
 the 
 
THE CROSS. 123 
 
 the Saracen guard gives, or this rest would 
 not be allowed you; for though he has 
 not taken the trouble to examine them, 
 he judges merely from the little sustenance 
 you expend, and from the silent state in 
 which you lay,'— however, there is no de- 
 pendence, and we must be prepared. — 
 Have you considered of the offer of last 
 night? — There is no doubt of your re- 
 ceiving the protection I mentioned, by 
 adopting the means to obtain it.** 
 
 ^^ I have, and to give you the only proof 
 in my power, behold the food you brought 
 me untouched; — I will t€ach myself to be 
 satisfied with black bread and water, if the 
 poison of infidelity lurks in higher diet. A 
 sentiment of gratitude makes me respect 
 you beyond all men, for I am convinced 
 you have ventured your own safety in the 
 cause of humanity; why then, father, will 
 you not let me add affection and friendship?** 
 G 2 " The 
 
124 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 '^ The dervlse, though his face was con- 
 cealed by his hood, turned aside, and ap- 
 peared to endeavour to suppress an emotiDn, 
 which wap, however, testified by the con- 
 vulsive rising of his bosom. 
 
 ^' I will press you no more on the sub- 
 ject of religion," at length answered he; 
 '^ I did not mean to enforce it, but merely 
 to mform you, how you might procure 
 liberty and wealth." 
 
 '' Perish both, if only to be obtained 
 by such a sacrifice!" replied de Mowbray. 
 *' Now we are indeed friends; should I 
 ever be at liberty tax my gratitude, it shall 
 not shrink, — you have a right to command 
 the life you have preserved." 
 
 " I mean to tax it now," answerjed the 
 dervise. '^ Have you sufficient confi^lence 
 in me to lay the whole of your situation 
 before me? I mean not only in this country 
 but in your own, U you are candid, I will 
 
 be 
 
THE CROSS. 126 
 
 be hereafter equally communicative; and 
 promise you, by all I hold most sacred, ycii- 
 shall not repent the trust reposed in me." 
 
 *^ Willingly," replied de Mowbray, 
 *' My life will afford you little information: 
 or entertainment; but I trust you will 
 find it rather unfortunate than culpable." 
 
 ^* So saying, the dervise and the Saracen 
 woman having, taken their seats on the 
 straw by his side, de Mowbray related in as 
 concise a manner as possible the events of 
 his life; not forgetting his obligations to 
 the Baron Falconberg, his affection to tlie 
 r Lady Christabelle, and the anguish her 
 marriage with de Pointz had cost him. 
 
 ^* The dervise heard him through with 
 profound attention; and when he con- 
 cluded, replied,^ — 
 
 '' As)ou observed, I find you on the 
 whole more unfortunate than guilty, ex- 
 cept in one instance. — Your love for 
 G 3 Christabelle 
 
126 THE PILGKIM OF 
 
 Chrlstabelle was natural and virtuous while 
 she was unmarried ; but to love her now 
 beyond the ties of sisterhood is guilt, — for 
 she is another man's wife, and an indis- 
 soluble bar is in all probability for ever 
 placed between you. — Rise then above this 
 weakness, and as you will not be a Maho- 
 metan, be what you profess — a Christian." 
 
 ^' 1 shall never see her more," answered 
 h*e; '' and if it be a crime to think of her, 
 it is so interwoven with my existence, that 
 'tis only by tearing up the root of life that 
 I can forget her.'V 
 
 *^ We will talk further on the subject 
 hereafter," &aid the dervise, '* for to-night 
 time presses, and we must begone; — but I 
 charge you> as you value my friendship, to 
 use the provision we have brought." 
 
 " De Mowbray promised to be ob- 
 servant, and the dervise bidding him fare- 
 wel, he heard the dungeon close, when 
 
 throwing. 
 
THE CROSS. 127^ 
 
 throwing himself afc length on his straw, he 
 gave way to unpleasant reflections. King 
 Henry and de Pointz appeared the primary 
 causes of all his sorrows. Christabelle he 
 considered as weak and irresolute — her fa- 
 ther, a man whose virtues were stifled by 
 pride; and le Val, whom he now repented 
 not having written to, and the dei vise, as 
 the most disinterested friends he had ever 
 met with. These images wrought on his 
 fancy and imbittered his remembrance, 
 until his body, w^ary with pain, and his 
 mind fatigued with thinking, he dropped 
 asleep. — But the objects of his waking 
 fancy still appeared to hau-nt his imagin- 
 ation,— he thought de Pointz stood before 
 him, in the dungeon, and reproached him 
 with bitter gibes on the miseries of his si- 
 tuation ; — that, confined by the weakness 
 occasioned by his wounds, he was unable, 
 with bodily strength, to resent the insult; 
 G 4 that 
 
128 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 that not master of his passion, he was 
 on the point of cursing and calling to 
 Heaven for a retribution on his head, when 
 again the cold and skeleton hand of the 
 dervise appeared laid upon his lips, while 
 his hollow and solemn voice exclaimed, — 
 
 '' Forbear^ rash many thou knoivest not. 
 what thou do'st^ nor whom thou presumest 
 to ctirse; for learn, that from his blood 
 shall spring heirs both to thy house and 
 mine — and from ours shall be given lords 
 to reign over the extensive domains of 
 de Pointz,'' 
 
 '^ De Mowbray started from sleep, he 
 thought he felt the pressure of the cold 
 hand on hi§ lips, and the words of the 
 dervise even yet appeared to sound in his 
 ears. 
 
 " Ridiculous weakness," exclaimed he, 
 *^ that the very coinage of my brain should 
 startle me. — Sooner may my name and 
 
 ho use. 
 
THE CROSS. 129 
 
 house sink for ever, than be supported by 
 his hated race. — The dervise too^ his heirs, 
 like mine, will have nothing to inherit but 
 poverty; — but how sunk am I^ to give such 
 foil) a second thought." 
 
 " De Mowbray paused awhile, when 
 the subject still fluctuating on his ima- 
 gination, he continued,— 
 
 '^ From the blood of the dervise and 
 myself shall be given lords to reign over 
 the extensive doynains oj de Pointz. — *Alas, 
 poor house, if it depends on so frail a sup- 
 port, its honour and pride will soon bow ! — 
 The dervise is not only forbidden by re> 
 ligion, but apparently sinking by the heavy 
 pressure of disease, is hastening to that 
 country, where, I trust, his humility will 
 obliterate the errors he has imbibed from 
 his. birth; — and for me, my blood will 
 never mingle with that of de Pointz, unless 
 it be in implacable and deadly combat." 
 
 G b '' During 
 
130 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 ^^ During the whole of the following day, 
 the dream floated in the mind of de Mow- 
 bray. — At night, his friends came as usual, 
 his wounds, he assured them, were free 
 from pain, and that he had risen that af- 
 ternoon, and tried to walk about the 
 dungeon. 
 
 " 'Tis well," replied the dervise, *^ all is 
 ns I could desire; we liave only to wish your 
 guard may not be changed, for we might 
 not meet with another who would so com- 
 pletely answer our purpose. For many of 
 the former nights, though assured of his 
 intoxication, I had my fears, but they are 
 now vanished, for never did I see such 
 Jieavy and death-like sleep. To complete 
 what I have began, I mean to forward your 
 escape, but we must first give all possible 
 time to recover your strength ; for you will 
 have to walk the space of two leagues be- 
 fore you gain the coast, near Joppa, at a 
 
 short 
 
''i^ THE CROSS. 131 
 
 short distance from which lie two French 
 ships, which have received the scattered 
 remnants of the Christians who have es- 
 caped. I wish to add you to the number, 
 nor will you depart hence alone, four more 
 will run the hazard with you, and all good 
 spirits guide you safe on board." 
 
 ^' Gracious Heaven P' replied de Mow- 
 bray, ^^ is it possible ?• — But answer me, 
 most generous of friends, if this should take 
 place, do you run no risk, should the com- 
 mander of the Saracen troops discover you 
 have forwarded my escape?- — for sooner 
 would I perish, than that your humanity 
 should be so ill repaid.'* 
 
 *^ Fear not for me, the Power in whom I 
 trust, will protect me, or give me strength 
 to brave the worst that can befal." 
 
 ** Never shall you expose yourself to 
 such danger as may accrue, for me,'* re- 
 plied de Mowbray. — ^^ Ah, were I now 
 
 safe 
 
132 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 safe landed on the English shore, and m 
 possession of all my heart could wish, never 
 would the remembrance of your kindness 
 be erased from my memory ; — I should 
 regret we could not be more acquainted. — 
 Ah, father, you promised me your confi- 
 dence; at least, should I go, let me bear 
 your features in my memory — I know the- 
 austerities of your faith, and that they im- 
 pose penances on the person at which hu- 
 manity recoils; — but I shall see only the 
 face of a benefactor, and, be it what it may, 
 I am prepared to respect and esteem it." 
 
 " In the energy with which de Mowbray 
 spoke, he clasped the garment of the dcr- 
 vise, which flying aside, discovered to his 
 astonished sight a large ebony crucifix, at- 
 tached by a golden chain to his girdle. 
 
 *' Gracious HeavenT* exclaimed he,, 
 '^what does this mean? — Speak, I con- 
 jure you! — You are, you must be a Chris- 
 tian, 
 
THE CROSS. 133. 
 
 tian^ or you would not wear that blessed 
 symbol." 
 
 '' I am/indeed,. a Christian/' replicxl tlie 
 apparent dervise, *' but you have disco- 
 vered my secret before 1 intended. I tried 
 you to the uttermost, de Mowbray, and 
 
 tv had you consented to turn Mahometan, I 
 liad left you to your fate; but finding you 
 what I wished, I have ventured to protract 
 my own escape to forward your's." 
 
 ^' Oh, that I had power equal to my 
 will to testify my gratitude!'* answered de 
 
 f Mowbray. — '* My heart whispered that 
 we were brothers, and among the blessings 
 I enjoy, I do not consider it the least, that 
 my friend is a Christian. You promised 
 me your confidence, but the satisfaction of 
 this moment has banished curiosity, though 
 the most minute information respecting 
 you will hereafter be interesting to me." 
 
 ''We 
 
3 34 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 .^^ We will not lose the present time in 
 trifles/* replied he, " to-morrow try well 
 your strength, for the return of Hamet, 
 who commands the Saracen troops, is 
 daily expected, in which case our escape 
 would be rendered doubly difficult, if not 
 impossible. What property I possess is 
 already on board one of the vessels I men- 
 tioned. To pass the guards of this dwelling 
 openly is impracticable, we must escape by 
 the wall of the garden of the Seraglio, in 
 which there is already an opening made 
 by the removal of some stones, though the 
 aperture is for the present artfully con- 
 cealed. A Christian, who has been in slavery 
 here for seven years, has been the active 
 agent in the whole business; I furnished 
 him with the means, which has purchased 
 his liberty, and he, in return, has paid the 
 debt, by the effort he has made to procure 
 mine.'* 
 
 •^ Heaven 
 
THE CROSS. 135 
 
 " Heaven speed and give success to his 
 endeavours/* replied de Mowbray, '^ let 
 not my weakness, I conjure you, delay the 
 happy moment ; in such a cause you know 
 not what strength I should possess, — two 
 leagues, nay ten, would appear as nothing, 
 for would not the freedom of my preserver 
 as-^well as my own be at stake." 
 
 "As the morning advanced the dervise 
 and his companion bid de Mowbray fare- 
 wel. Sleep was, however, a stranger to his 
 eyelids, the events of the night at once de- 
 lighted and astonished him; — that his 
 friend was a Christian, was, indeed, a sub- 
 ject of exultation, but what could have 
 kept him within those walls ? — He had 
 furnished a Christian with money to purchase 
 his freedom, why had he not procured his 
 own ? — As all conjecture on the subject 
 was fruitless, de Mowbray was at length 
 obliged to give it up .- {Resolution was to 
 1 him 
 
136 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 him inexplicable, and his Saracen guarcT 
 having, as usual, served him with his daily 
 allowance, he rose from his straw, and ex- 
 ercising his limbsj found they gained 
 strength by the exertion. 
 
 '^ At night the dervise and his female 
 friend were agreeably surprised to see him 
 arisen and cloathed in the few garments 
 left him ; — his wounds they found nearly 
 cicatrized, and air and regular nutriment 
 alone needful to complete his cure. — The 
 dervise, however, pressed him to lay as 
 usual among the straw, when the Saracen 
 slave brought his food, — ^^ For though he 
 has not power," said he, '' to remove you 
 till the return of Hamet, he might offer 
 you personal insult that you could not bear, 
 and thus ruin us all'* 
 
 ^^ De Mowbray promised to be ob- 
 servant, and the dervise continued, — 
 
 "All 
 
THE CROSS^, 13T 
 
 ^^ All Is now ready, and if you think it 
 possible for you to walk the space I meu- 
 tioiied, we will delay our enterprise no 
 longer than to-morrow night, for Harriet is- 
 daily expected. Tliis Saracen woman^ 
 whom I glory to say is my convert, will 
 accompany us, as also a negro lad. The 
 liberated Christian will wait for us on the 
 outside of the wall, and in a small creek that 
 communicates with tlie sea, is a boat^con- 
 cealed among -reeds and rushes, but is so 
 ordered as to be made ready to receive us 
 in a few minutes; our passage from thence 
 to the vessel will be a short one, and I 
 trust the Holy Virgin will protect and 
 guide us in safety.'* 
 
 '* Fear not for me," answered de Mow- 
 bray, " my heart beats so light that it pre- 
 sages success; only, if it be possible, bring 
 me a sword. — And now, I pray you, re- 
 move that .hateful hood3 v/hich appears a 
 
 damp 
 
J 38 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 damp on our friendship; 'tis the only fa- 
 vour I at present ask, hereafter I may 
 entreat further, for so sincere a friend 
 ought not to have a sorrow in which I do 
 not bear a part.'* 
 
 *' You ask a confidence that it would be 
 more consonant with propriety to defer," 
 answered the dervise, without removing his 
 hood, '* buc not to make you suppose a 
 mystery, where there is in reality none,^ 
 know in the first place that I am" a 
 woman '* 
 
 '' A woman!" interrupted de Mowbray, 
 with evident surprise and disappointment^ 
 ^^ a woman!" 
 
 " Yes, a woman ; but let not vanity, 
 even for a moment, misguide you. I 
 served you as a Christian, without remem- 
 bering you were a man. The disguise I 
 adopted was not only calculated to conceal 
 my person, and satisfy my curiosity res- 
 pecting 
 
THE CROSS. 139 
 
 pecting yourself, but also necessary to 
 make you the more readily receive the at- 
 tentions I bestowed. Virtue, de Mowbray, 
 hath no sex ; and had the gallant leader of 
 the Christians been an Ethiopian, he would 
 have had the same claims on my humanity." 
 
 '^ De Mowbray felt humiliated; — he 
 threw himself at her feet, and entreated 
 her pardon, if surprise had made him ap- 
 pear less sensible of his obligations than he 
 really was. 
 
 " Rise," answered she, ^^ the surprise 
 was natural; and at once to cure you of 
 curiosity, and remove all impression of im- 
 proper motives, behold to what a state in- 
 fidelity and wickedness have reduced me." 
 
 ^' So saying she threw back her hood, 
 and discovered a face that filled de Mow- 
 bray at once with pity and admiration.-— 
 The skin had apparently been of an ala- 
 baster whiteness, but was now of the de^idiiy 
 
 hue 
 
140^ THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 hue of the grave; and like that of the 
 hands he had before seen, was the only 
 covering of a set of features, whose beau- 
 tiful symmetry nothing could destroy.—^ 
 The lips were livid, but the brow open, 
 the eyes bkie and sparkling; and the 
 whole cast of the countenance such as 
 might have been chosen to personify a 
 sainted soul^ immured within a mortal 
 body, that it was impatient to escape 
 from. 
 
 " The emotion of de Mowbray was not 
 lost upon her; and finding he remained- 
 silent, she continued, — 
 
 ^* A lingering, but certain death hangs 
 over me, medicine is vain; and my utmost 
 wish is to die in a Christian country, to 
 receive the last rites of our holy faith, and 
 to deposit my dust in consecrated ground. 
 Here, though the land is holy, the Chris- 
 
 tian 
 
THE CROSS. 141 
 
 lian wife of Hamet would share only the 
 -rites of the infidel mosque." 
 
 *^ Most respected of women," answered 
 de Mowbray, " my life is devoted to your 
 service; we will escape or perish. The 
 wife of Hamet shall be to me as a sister, a 
 monitress to guide me to those duties, that 
 however I have honoured, I have hitherto 
 been negligent of performing.'* 
 
 " Consider me as a mother, for thirty- 
 
 «dght years have passed over my head, 
 
 nineteen of which I have been a wife. — 
 
 But we will away; recruit your strength by 
 
 food, to-morrow we will not fail you." 
 
 " So saying she arose, and attended by 
 rthe Saracen woman left the dungeon. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
142 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 TAe Chronicle conihiuedo 
 
 o, 
 
 'N the ensuing morning de Mowbrayj 
 as usual, remained silent on his straw when 
 the Saracen slave brought his food. By 
 the little he had learned of his language, 
 he understood he cursed him; and expressed 
 pleasure that the return of Hamet would 
 make him exert himself, instead of re- 
 maining in such useless inactivity. 
 
 '' The 
 
THE CROSS. 143 
 
 " The day appeared one of the longest 
 ♦de Mowbray had ever known ; interested 
 as he was for the Baroness de Pointz, the 
 wife of Hamet divided his thoughts with 
 her. It was not indeed love^ but the re- 
 verence and esteem which he would have 
 felt for an idolized mother; yet he could 
 not reconcile it to his thoughts, h6w a wo- 
 ^an so eminently pious could become the 
 wife of an Infidel. Hamet he had seen at 
 the head of his troops^ his port was noble, 
 his person handsome, and his complection, 
 for his country uncom.monly fair; a cir- 
 cumstance which was accounted for by his 
 mother's being an European. 
 
 *' At length the long wished for hour 
 arrived, and the lamp announced the wife 
 of Hamet. She v^as not only accompanied 
 by the Saracen woman, whom she called 
 Malka, but also by the negro lad she had 
 before mentioned. They were all covered 
 
 with 
 
144 THE PILGRrM OP 
 
 with dark cloaks, and brought one for de 
 Mowbray, whom they also presented with 
 a sword. 
 
 " All prepared, they in silence left the 
 dungeon, replacing the chains and bolts -as 
 if the prisoner was still within. De Mow- 
 bray's situation when brought thither pre- 
 vented his noticing the way ; he was now 
 more able to make observation. He found 
 the dungeon was several feet below the 
 surface of the earth, from whence it re- 
 ceived li^ht by the iron grating; and that 
 about the midway, in the descent, was the 
 apartment of his goaler,whomhe discovered, 
 as he passed, buried in a lethargic slumber. 
 
 " Having reached the entrance, Malka 
 covered the lamp with her cloak, and pass- 
 ing several long passages, lighted only by 
 the apertures to admit air, they at length 
 reached the garden; which, though ex- 
 tensive, they speedily crossed, and entered 
 
THE CROSS. 145 
 
 31 grove of date trees, at the extremity of 
 which was a stone wall of considerable 
 height, overshadowed at the top by the 
 branches of the dates, and the lower part 
 covered with shrubs and underwood. 
 
 *^ Malka gave the lamp to de Mowbray, 
 and assisted her mistress in removing a part 
 of the branches, which in this place grew 
 unconrTmonly thick; then striking on the 
 wall, a voice from without asked, in an 
 under tone in the French language, if all 
 was ready. The wife of Hamet answered 
 in the affirmative; when immediately some 
 large stones were removed, which had be- 
 fore been prepared for that purpose, and 
 which left ^ sufficient opening to admit 
 their going through on their knees. The 
 women having passed, the negro, and then 
 de Mowbray followed; and joining the 
 stranger, whom they called la Roche, they 
 hastily closed the entrance, and extin- 
 TOL. I. H guishing 
 
14.6 THE PILGEIM OP 
 
 guishing the lamp, walked forward. The 
 exertion, it was evident, was painful to the 
 wife of Hainet; and de Mowbray and la 
 Koche insisted on replacing Malka and 
 the boy, who supported her on each side, 
 by which means they were enabled to re- 
 lieve her fatigue. 
 
 '' They had nearly reached tlie coast, 
 when they encountered a Saracen guard of 
 four, who asked who they were and their 
 business. La Roche replied, in their own 
 language, that they were dealers in slaves, 
 and came to Joppa in order to receive 
 some that were remitted there. This re- 
 ply fortunately proved satisfactory ; and the 
 travellers soon reached the creek where 
 the boat lay concealed, which they in- 
 stantly launched and entered. La Roche 
 and de Mowbray snatched up the oars, 
 and rowed with their utmost strength for 
 near an hour, when they gained the road 
 
 of 
 
THE CROSS. 147 
 
 Oi Joppa, where the two vessels lay at an- 
 chor, one of which received them on 
 board; and by the attention of the ofhcers 
 and crew, plainly shewed they Vv'ere ex- 
 pected guests. 
 
 '^ The wife of Hamet, overpowered with 
 fatigue, appeared near fainting. De Mow- 
 bray prayed her to take some wine which 
 was presented her, but putting it aside, 
 she answered, — 
 
 ^' Not so, our first duty is to return 
 thanks to the Power, who has brought us 
 thus far in safety; that performed I will 
 give way to meaner objects." 
 
 ^^ So saying she prostrated herself on the 
 floor of the cabin, and remained a consi- 
 derable time in fervent, but silent prayer. 
 Her companions followed her example; 
 while the crev/, edified by her piety, blessed 
 Heaven for making them successful, as se- 
 condary instruments, in delivering so ex- 
 H 2 emplary 
 
148 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 emplary a woman. Having taken some 
 refreshment, they all retired to rest; and 
 tlie wind proving favourable, they raised 
 their anchor and set sail early that morning. 
 " De Mowbray was delighted to find 
 among the passengers many of his Chris- 
 tian comrades, whom he feared had fallen; 
 but no one interested him more than 
 la Roche, who had . so material a 
 part in his liberation. He was about the 
 age of forty-five, the last seven of which 
 he had passed in slavery, working in the 
 garden of the liaram, galled with the 
 weight of an iron chain, which was con- 
 stantly affixed to his legs; till by the as- 
 sistance of the wife of Hamet, who supplied 
 him with money and jewels, he procured 
 his liberty, through the negotiation of a 
 merchant, employed in the redemption of 
 Christian captives, 
 
 ^^ Towards 
 
 j 
 
THE CROSS. J4g 
 
 ^^ Towards mid-day the wife of Hamet 
 requested the attendance of de Mowbray 
 in her cabin. He immediately obeyed; 
 but on his entering, hastily started back, 
 though he almost disbelieved the evidence 
 of his senses ; for the young negro's ami 
 was passed round the neck of his mistress^ 
 and supported her head, which was re- 
 clined on his bosom^ while his dark ciieek 
 joined to her's, appeared like a contrast of 
 ivory and ebony. De Mowbray's asto- 
 nishment was so evident, that it did not 
 escape the observation of the wife af 
 Plamet, who raising her head, a faint smile 
 passed over her sickly features: — 
 
 " My good friend/' said she, presenting 
 her hand, " you are,' I fear, given to form 
 hasty judgments; either your looks deceive 
 me, or no thought favourable to me, at 
 the present moment, has possession of your 
 mind. This dear child I have nourished 
 H 3 from 
 
3 50 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 from infancy, and devoted my days to 
 bring to perfection the blossom I had 
 raised; think it not, therefore, strange, 
 that I in suffering and weakness, demand a 
 return of tiiose cares I before bestowed." 
 
 *' It would ill become me to turn re- 
 prover to the person to whom I owe such 
 abundant obligations," answered de Mow- 
 bray, '^ your own piety. Lady, must be the 
 best dictator. — I wished to find in you a 
 friend to direct my youth, one to whom 
 example and precept were the same." 
 
 '^ De Mowbray might in all probability 
 have said more, but a saucy smile, as he 
 considered it, v^'hich sat on the features of 
 the negro, provoked him, and turning, he 
 only added, — '^ With your permission, 
 lady, I will attend you presently, you may 
 be more at leisure.'* 
 
 " An hour hence then," answered she, 
 ^^ and bring with you, I pray, la Roche. I 
 
 will 
 
THE CEOSS. 151 
 
 will briefly recapitulate the leading events 
 of my life, and leave you to form 30111: 
 conjectures thereon." 
 
 ^* De Mowbray immediately retired, 
 never had he met with so strong a surprise. 
 — ^' Wb.at," said he, ^' the woman whom 
 I regarded as a saint, whose piety appeared 
 to raise her above mortality, to submit to 
 familiar dalliance with a boy; even too 
 when her life appears to hang upon a 
 thread. She who would not recruit sink- 
 ing nature with a cup of wine a few hours 
 before, till she had returned thanks for her 
 safety ! — Abominable hypocrisy ! — Yet," 
 continued he, after a pause, " it cannot be [ 
 the placid dignity of native innocence was 
 seated on her ghastly features, and her 
 every word and action, till this hateful hour, 
 have testified a soul where piety and hu- 
 manity reigned superior to all degrading 
 passions. — But my eyes could not deceive 
 H 4 me. 
 
3 52 THE PILGRIM OF" 
 
 me, his arm clasped her neck, she was re- 
 clined on his bosom, and their faces joined^ 
 — at his age that surely is too much for 
 friendship. — Oh, vvoijiaD, woman! why am 
 I doomed to despise where I would wish to 
 love? — First, my foolish he? rt fixed all its 
 affections and pleasures on the heiress of 
 Latimer; but she hath broken the charm 
 and taught me a lesson never to be for- 
 gotten. — Next, the wife of Hamet; though 
 love was for ever dead in my heart, she ap- 
 I peared as one sent by Heaven to supply the 
 loss of all others! at once a mother, sister, 
 deliverer, guide, and monitor, to sink into 
 a mere weak, 1 could almost add, licentious 
 woman! but I have done with the sex for 
 ever. Love and friendship are with them 
 but shadows, which their pliant souls reflect 
 at pleasure, without the reality ever reach- 
 
 ing further than the surface." 
 
 La 
 
THE CROSS. 153 
 
 ^^ La Roche at that moment appearing, 
 de Mowbray informed him that the wife of 
 Hamet required his attendance; but, though 
 seriously vexed, he was silent respecting what 
 had passed, as he did not consider himself 
 at liberty to expose the follies of his 
 benefactress. 
 
 H 5 CHAPTER 
 
154 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 CHAPTER VIIL 
 
 The Chronicle continued, 
 
 J\T the time appointed de Mowbray 
 and la Roche repaired to the cabin ; the 
 first saw with pleasure that the negro lad 
 was not there, a young damsel in a Saracen 
 habit, and Malka, alone attended on the 
 wife of Hamet, who, as they entered, said 
 to the former, — 
 
 '' Corally, 
 
THE CROSS. 155 
 
 *^ Corally, receive my friends; de Mow- 
 bray may, perhaps, form a more partial 
 opinion of both thee and me, than he did 
 an hour since." 
 
 '^ Da Mowbray for some moments re- 
 mained silent; the njaid, Corally, surpassed 
 all he had yet seen of female beauty, and 
 appeared to his astonished sight, as one of 
 the fabled houries which Mahomet had 
 promised to his followers in the gardens of 
 Paradise. Though his eyes were fascinated, 
 his heart was cold, and turning to the wife 
 of Hamet, he said, — 
 
 '' Pardon me, Lady, you have accused 
 me of forming hasty judgments, I, there- 
 fore, tliis time, avoid making any at first 
 sight." 
 
 ^' Is it possible,*' resumed she, ^^ that in 
 my daughter, Corally, \oa do not discover 
 the litlle^negro who gave you such offence ? 
 Nay, look at her, the difference of com- 
 plexion 
 
156 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 plexion and habiliments are the only altera- 
 tion; — that disguise I thought best calcu- 
 lated to conceal her, but all danger I now 
 regard as past. She is prepared to receive 
 la Roche and yourself, as a parent and a 
 brother, for, alas, I have na ties of blood' 
 in the world ; and when it shall please 
 Heaven to remove me, must bequeath her 
 to your care, and so may the Virgin prosper 
 you both here and hereafter, as you faith- 
 fully discharge that trust/* 
 
 '^ James la Roche, and de Mowbray, 
 both fervently replied ^^Amen,'' while 
 Corally, throwing her arms about her 
 mother, concealed her tears in her bosom. 
 
 '^ Lost in astonishment,'* said de Mow- 
 bray, *' I know not how to excuse my 
 former conduct; it was an error originating 
 from the grossness of my nature, which 
 could not sufficiently estimate the purity of 
 yours." 
 
 '' The 
 
*rHE CROSS^ 157" 
 
 ^^ The mistake was natural," answered 
 she, ^^you are no dissembler, de Mowbray, 
 and I respect yoa accordingly. — Bat take 
 your seats, and I will, in few words, relate 
 the tale of my sorrows and sufferings." 
 
 *' All 'obeyed, and the wife of Hamet 
 began her story. 
 
 '' My name is Mary la Pole, my father 
 was a wealthy merchant and dealer in 
 jewels, at Leghorn. My mother died when 
 I was about fourteen, and left no other 
 child. Wiien I was eighteen, my fa- 
 ther received an order from a merchant^ 
 at Cairo, for jewels to an immense value, 
 which were designed for a robe of state for 
 the Soldan of Egypt. The order was too 
 great to be trusted to an indifferent per- 
 son, as it constituted nearly the whole of 
 my father*s property, and which he de- 
 signed to be his last adventure in trade, aS 
 it would, if successful, enrich him to the 
 
 utmost 
 
158 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 utmost of his wishes. As the separation 
 v/as painful to us both, and his stay was to 
 be but short, in an unhappy moment I 
 prevailed on him to suffer me to accompany 
 him. — Sailing from Leghorn, we reached 
 Alexandria in less than a month, from 
 whence, after a short repose, we were to 
 proceed to Cairo, which was the end of 
 our journey. Our spirits being recruited, 
 we departed for Rosetta, which is not more 
 than a long day's journey from Alexandria, 
 but over the sandy deserts, which travellers 
 are directed through by stone pillars fixed 
 for that purpose. As the way was so short, 
 we had only an escort of four guides, with 
 whom we had performed about two thirds 
 of our journey, when we were attacked 
 by ten Arabs ; in which conflict I had the 
 misery to see my honoured father slain^ 
 and also two of our guides. 
 
 'J I 
 
THE CROSS* 159 
 
 ^^ I was immediately made a prisoner, and 
 next day sold to a slave merchant^ who^ 
 without personal insult, conveyed me to 
 Cairo, u'here, in spite of my cries and 
 prayers, I was disposed of to the grand vi- 
 sier, father to Hamet. 
 
 '^ Whether my tears and melancholy dis- 
 gusted him, or that my person did not an- 
 swer his expectation, I was fortunate 
 enough not to please him, and he soon 
 after presented me to Hamet, his son, by a 
 Christian slave who has been dead some 
 years. 
 
 *^ Hamet was not more than twenty- six, 
 he was tall and nobly formed, his features 
 marking and handsome, and his complexion, 
 from his mother, European. The gentleness 
 of his demeanor, and the decency of his 
 manners, which did not arrogate any power 
 over me, filled me with gratitude, and I 
 internally lamented he was an Infidel. — As 
 
 we 
 
l6(f THE PTLGIxI.\T OF 
 
 we became more acquainted he not only 
 offered me his hearty but tb give up alt 
 other women, and, yet^more, at his father's 
 death to take me back to Europe, and 
 openly recant his errors and become a 
 member of our holy church. That he was 
 not indiflrbrent to me I candidly allow, and 
 the last offer dkl not fail of its effect on nff 
 unsuspicious mind. His father was ad- 
 vanced in years, and debilitated by the na- 
 tural consequences of free living, it was ap- 
 parent could not survive long. Hamet had 
 learned the French language from his 
 mother, and used it in continually pressing 
 me to be his wife after my own method ; — 
 our secret^ he said, would be safe, a Chris- 
 tian blave, taken in one of the crusades, 
 and who had been a priest in his own 
 country, w^ould unite us. In short, I wa» 
 weak enough to consent, and the Christiaiv 
 being introduced secretly into my apart- 
 
 meiitjj 
 
THE CROSS. 161 
 
 merit, he read the holy ceremony. Though 
 I was unhappy to see Hainet conform to 
 the Mahometan customs, I was obliged to 
 yield to necessity, but looked anxiously 
 forward to the time when he would be freed 
 from them. 
 
 '^ Far beyond expectation his fl?ither lin- 
 gered two years, at which period I gave 
 birth to Corally. It was now that I felt 
 that both duty and religion demanded that 
 Hamet should fulfil his promise. He, how- 
 ever, put me off with evasive reasons for 
 more than a year, when I with gentleness, 
 but more firmness, requested him to fix a 
 time for our departure; for such was his 
 power in the ports of Palestine, that there 
 could be no danger in our attempting to 
 escape. For some tim.e he endeavoured 
 to prevaricate, but at length, not being able 
 to move me from my purpose, lie first 
 treated the subject lightly, and lastly^ 
 
 findiniy 
 
l62 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 finding me resolved, told me it was utterljr 
 impossible for him either to leave the im- 
 mense.wealth bequeathed him by his father, 
 or the country where he was second to 
 none but the soldan. You must judge my 
 feelings at this declaration, for I cannot 
 describe tliem ; I shed no tears, the foun- 
 tains of life seemed suddenly to have ceased 
 to flow. — 1 looked upon myself as one who 
 had shared in profaning the holy sacra- 
 ments, and considered the sin as deadly. 
 In this state Hamet left me, he doubtless 
 thought the violence of my emotion must 
 exhaust itself. He was accustomed to 
 sleep in my apartment, and in the evening 
 came for that purpose; but my resolution 
 was taken, and I firmly assured him, that 
 never again should my soul share in such a 
 prostitution of the holy rites; that if lie 
 would keep his promise I should consider 
 myself through life as the most obliged of 
 
 worn, en J, 
 
THE CROSS, lOJ* 
 
 vvomen^ but that if he refuse^ nor death, 
 nor torture should again force me to his 
 bed. 
 
 *' This contention was warm, I, however, 
 persevered, and about three months after 
 he began to bring new ffivourites into the 
 haram, for he had before hberated his 
 women as he promised. 
 
 ^' I onfined myself to my apartment, 
 my child was my only comfort; sometimes 
 I feared she would be taken from m.e, but I 
 was spared that misery. Malka was at- 
 tached to me, and by degrees I had the 
 inexpressible satisfaction of making her a 
 convert. Thus elapsed the first ten years 
 of U}}' Corally's life; I pass over the perse- 
 cuiions I underwent from her father^ who, 
 as he had no other children, still caused 
 me to be regarded as the head of the se- 
 raglio, which, though full of women. Ha- 
 met, cither from some remaining partiality- 
 
 for 
 
l64 THE PILGIillVl OF- 
 
 for me. or a wish to triumph over my ob- 
 stinacy, as he termed it, made me at in- 
 tervals several lucrative offers, though they 
 were as constantly declined. They were, 
 however, sufficient to inflame the jealousy 
 of some of the unhappy v/omen, one of 
 whom, by bribing a slave, succeeded in 
 poisoning a dish of rice which was served 
 at my table. 
 
 ^' The agonies that seized me after 
 eating it, immediately discovered the deed; 
 and Hamet being informed of the cause, 
 sent an Arabian to my assistance, who was 
 said to be skilled in poisons and their 
 Tint i dotes. 
 
 ^^ Every means his skill could sugQ^est 
 were used, but the poison was too subtle to 
 be expelled, though its rapid and deadly 
 progress was stopped ; but driven from my 
 stomach, it mixed with my blood, and 
 corroded the very springs of my life. — 
 
 Wonderful 
 
THE CROSS. l53 
 
 Wonderful to relate, I have now been more 
 than seven years in a gradual and lingering 
 decay; the Arab said my life might, by 
 care, be prolonged perhaps even ten years. 
 The will of Heaven be done, my only wish 
 for life is, to see my child in a Christian 
 country, and to receive the rites of the 
 holy church. 
 
 ^' For a whole year after I had taken the 
 poison, I was paralytic, and at intervals de- 
 prived of reason, during v^hich period my 
 Corally never left me. The unhappy wo- 
 man and her accomplice, in the first heat 
 of Hamet's anger, had been delivered up to 
 justice and put to death. Great as you 
 may regard this misfortune, it was a source 
 of comfort to me, for, shocked at the alter- 
 ation in my person, Hamet ceased to per- 
 secute me with his affection, if I may so 
 debase the name; and after some time de- 
 moted himself to a young Circassian, by 
 
 whom 
 
;l66 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 ^vhom he hath now two sons. This event 
 deprived me of the rank I before held in the 
 haram, and Hamet yielded to my entreaty 
 of being removed near Joppa^ conformable 
 to the advice of the Arabian, who prescribed 
 the air of the sea coast. 
 
 " It was with some difHculty that he 
 ■ consented that Corally should accompany 
 me, and I have hved in constant dread of 
 lier being recalled. During four years 
 that I dwelt tliere, I saw Hamet but twice, 
 and then only v;hen his military com- 
 mand brought him into the neighbourhood, 
 for our dwelling was a haram devoted to 
 the aged women appertaining to his father, 
 or to the invalids belonging to himself. 
 Thus few guards were necessary, Corally 
 being the only object who could even alarm 
 Saracen jealousy, and she, I must allow, I 
 believe he considered as safe under my 
 guidance. 
 
 ''I 
 
"THE CROSS. 107 
 
 ^^ I have often thought, that pity for my 
 -situation, a remembrance of the wrongs he 
 had clone me, or, perhaps, that my death 
 would set her free without his interference, 
 influenced him to suffer her to remain so 
 long with me, for he once informed me she 
 was designed for the soidan. 
 
 ^' He well knew I had no relatives in 
 Europe, which, added to my declining 
 state, made him far from suspecting I me- 
 ditated an escape. It was, hovv'ever, con- 
 stantly in my thoughts, and on removing 
 ■ near the coast, and meeting with la Roche, 
 who worked in the garden, I thought 
 Heaven pointed out the way, -For a 
 long time Malka alone was the m.essenger 
 to him; he thankfully entered into my 
 views, and by degrees I conveyed gold and 
 jewels to him, which being remitted to an 
 agent employed in the redemption of cap- 
 :_tives, his freedom was obtained. 
 
 '' Before 
 
1 6s THE PILGKIM OP 
 
 '' Before he left the haram, the aper- 
 ture we passed through in the garden was 
 made, and the time of the departure of 
 the European ships, designed for my escape 
 settled. Already ray joy and expectation 
 made me count the hours; our jewels were 
 sewed in cur garments and all prepared. — 
 In ten days we were to make the eventful 
 trial, when the encounter between the 
 Christians and Saracens took place, and I 
 karned, with concern and grief, that amidst 
 the common slaughter, the chief of the 
 Christians had fallen, and, covered with ' 
 wounds, had been brought to the dungeon 
 of the haram. Religion and humanity 
 compelled me to wish to assist a brother; 
 la Roche and myself, disguised as you saw 
 me, and attended by Malka, frequently 
 met in the night, at the aperture. On the ] 
 first evening of your captivity I consulted ' 
 him on the means ; he directed me to the « 
 
 dungeon J 
 
THE CROSS, 
 
 i<k) 
 
 ^angeon, and further informed me I had 
 little to fear, as, to his certain knowledge, 
 Murat, the guard, was every night so i,n- 
 toxicated with opium, that all sense and 
 knowledge were suspended. He concluded 
 by telling me that he would lose no time 
 ;n <lR^?r]i^■frr information . to the Europcao^ 
 ships of the cause of the d^ela\' , irfm beg of 
 them to postpone; their departure,, which he 
 had no doubt they would on so material an 
 account. 
 
 "For many nights my fears were so 
 great, when 1 visited the dungeon, as not 
 to suffer me to speak; but they gradually 
 lessened, for. Murat was ever in the same 
 state of brutal asd swinish insensibility. 
 
 " The person and manners of de Mow- 
 bray interested me, I wished to learn 
 whether his mind corresponded; his for- 
 titude answered my wishes, or our danger 
 was so .pressing, from the protracted stay, 
 VOL. I. I that 
 
170 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 that I believe I should have left him to his 
 fate. You know the rest, but you can 
 form no judgment of the joy and thanks 
 fulness with which my heart overflows. 
 The Virgin hath made me the humble 
 means of snatching my child from the 
 ^rasp of^accursed . infideb>v^ (^^vyh:^^ .c 
 convert to the" holy church in the person 
 of Malka, and of preserving two Christian 
 brethren, — ah, how greatly are my sorrows 
 overpaid T* 
 
 '^ The enthusiastic rapture with which 
 Mary concluded, animated her whole 
 countenance; de Mowbray and la Roche 
 gazed on her with silent reverence and 
 admiration, while, for a few minutes, by her 
 raised 'eye, her soul appeared wrapped in 
 devout gratitude to her Creator. — At 
 length, recovering herself, she added,— 
 
 " Pardon me! for a moment I was lost . 
 to you all; but a dark picture is suddenly ] 
 
 drawn i 
 
THE CROSa. 171 
 
 drawn over the overflowing of my joy. — 
 Ah, consider Hamet, the man whom I 
 loved, the father of my Corally ! — an apos- 
 tate to his own faith, and a dtfilcr and 
 scorner of mine. — Ah, at the hour of death 
 what internal comfort shall cheer him, 
 what spirit shall support his sinking soul, 
 what sainted voice enable him to bear the 
 everlasting change? — Oh, gracious Heaven! 
 let not the avenging angel then thunder in 
 his trembling ear, — ^^ Go, thou accursed, 
 who at once reviled me and thine own 
 false prophet — go into everlasting fire!" — 
 Ah, no, great as are his sins, they are not 
 beyond thy mercy! — Spare and give re- 
 pentance to his obdurate heart! — Another 
 object,'* added she, after a pause, ^^also de- 
 mands our prayers; an unhappy wretch for 
 whom the jaws of death are even now 
 open, — Murat, the guard, unprepared 
 soul, will bleed for our escape! — Join witli 
 1 2 me 
 
17^2 THE PILGRTM OP 
 
 ine in prayer for him, for Harriet, and may 
 the saints listen and plead for them." 
 
 Fitz-Hugh laid down the manuscript, — 
 
 ^' By my life," said he, '' but that wo- 
 man was an angel; nor could I have ap- 
 proached her, but as something more than 
 mortal." 
 
 '' It is true," answered de Pointz, " nor 
 will she lose in your estimation as you 
 proceed.'* 
 
 Fitz-Hugh resumed the manuscript, but 
 at that moment some of the subalterns in 
 command entered for orders, and prevented 
 his continuing it for that night. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CROSS. i;:! 
 
 CHAPTER IX, 
 
 JlLaRLY the next day, Fitz-Hugh re- 
 paiied to the tent ofdePointz, — 
 
 ** My curiosity is so excited," said he, 
 'M)y these chnmiLles of Ciiristabelle de 
 Mowbrav, that even in sleep I have scarcely 
 forgotten them, and must beg thee to 
 suffer me to continue?" 
 
 '^ Willingly," replied de Pointz, taking 
 them from a bag and presenting ihcm to 
 Fitz-TIiigh, who proceeded as follows: — 
 13 The 
 
171 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 The Chronicle continued. 
 
 *^ The piety and respectability of Mary- 
 la Pole was in some measure repaid even on 
 earth, by the interest she excited in all 
 bosoms ; her daughter, Corally, watched her 
 drooping frame with an anxious tenderness 
 that shewed itself in all her words and 
 actions. Malka revered her, not only as a 
 beloved mistress, but as one to whom she 
 should hereafter owe the salvation of her 
 soul; la Roche and de Mowbray regarded 
 her at once as an idolized sister, and a be- 
 nefactress to whom they owed a gift more 
 valuable than life, for it would have beea 
 worse than death to have passed their 
 days among Infidels. Even the common 
 crew of the vessel blessed her as she passed, 
 and called upon their patron saints to res- 
 tore her to health and happiness. 
 
 *' After 
 
THE CROSS. 175 
 
 ♦■ 
 
 *^ After a safe and speedy voyage, they 
 arrived at Marseilles, where being landed, 
 Mary threw herself upon her knees, and 
 kissed the ground. — 
 
 ^' Blessed Virgin/* exclaimed she, ^^again 
 my feet press the earth consecrated by 
 Christianity, and my breath inhales the air 
 in which the prayers of devout men and 
 holy virgins are wafted to Heaven! — Me^ 
 thinks I feel new life, new strength ; lead 
 me to a chapel, and Heaven give me power 
 to bear the transport that overwhelms me." 
 
 '' Corally and Malka shared her satis- 
 faction, but in an emphatic silence that 
 overflowed in tears ; while la Roche and de 
 Mowbray, supported their benefactress on 
 each side, with hearts teeming with af- 
 fection and gratitude. 
 
 " The news of a vessel having arrived 
 
 from Palestine, attracted numbers to the 
 
 shore; the sailors whispered they had 
 
 1 4 brought 
 
3 70 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 brought over a saintand an angel, pointing 
 to Mary and Corally. The former, they 
 said, though a prineipal wom^n among the 
 Saracens, had given up all for Christianity, 
 and endangered her life to save two noble 
 personages of that faith;- — the second, they 
 observed^ shared her mother's virtues, for' 
 never did Infidel blood glow in so fair and 
 beautiful a clieek. De Mowbray and la 
 Eoche also received their share of attention, 
 for the crowd being informed whom they 
 were^ blessed the gallant leader of the- 
 Christians, and cursed the oppressors of 
 la Roche; — even Malka was hailed on' 
 every side, and treated as a welcome guest. 
 '' Their arrival and history spread with 
 the rapidity of a torrent, and as the accu- 
 mulating crowds retarded their passage, by 
 the time they reached the monastery of 
 St. Catharine's, all was ready for their re- 
 ception. The priests met them at the out- 
 ward 
 
THE CROSS. 177 
 
 vard gate, singing Te Deum, tapers were 
 lighled before the saints, Hud all prepared 
 for high mass. 
 
 '' Corally, awed and delighted, clasped 
 her mother's hand and knek by lier'side, 
 while Malka, with la Roche and de Mow- 
 bray took their place behind them. Such 
 was the conconrse of spectators, that not 
 only the chapel was full, bat also all the 
 avenues; yet such was the devotion of the 
 moment, that not the smallest whisper or 
 murmur interrupted the ceremony, which 
 concluded by Corally and Malka receiving 
 the seal of Baptism. 
 
 ''All being finished, Mary entreated to 
 speak to the superior of St. Catharine's 
 convent, when she requested to be ad- 
 mittenl with her daughter and Malka, as 
 peiibioners, till she made some further ar- 
 rangement, which request was readily 
 granted^ 
 
 I 5 '' Though 
 
178 THE PILGRIM OBV 
 
 ^^ Though de Mowbray wished to be in- 
 formed of what was passing in England, 
 gratitude and honour forbade him to leave 
 Mary la Pole, till she had formed some 
 resolution respecting her future destination. 
 Two days after, she sent for him and la 
 Roche to the convent, where they were 
 shocked at the alteration that had taken 
 place ; for her weakness had so greatly en- 
 creased in that short period, that she could 
 not walk without assistance, and her breath 
 was evidently heavily oppressed. 
 
 '^ They were admitted into the apart- 
 ment appropriated for strangers, where she, 
 with Malka only, awaited their arrival. — 
 
 <fMy good friends,'' said she, *'afew 
 hours of joy hath had more effect on my 
 wasted frame than years of sorrow. My 
 heart hath little more to wish, and Heaven 
 perhaps will, in its . goodness, release my 
 suffering spirit. Corally is the only hold 
 
 that 
 
THE CROSS. 179 
 
 that binds me to earth, I would consult you 
 respecting her future disposal. I do not 
 think her inclined for a conventual life, 
 though I am convinced she would adopt 
 it, did I utter such a wish ; — but Heaven 
 forefend I should make either her or myself 
 guilty of such sin." 
 
 *^ The gentle Coral 'y need only be seen 
 to be beloved, and m the arms of a virtuous 
 husband, would be safe from danger/' re- 
 plied la Roche. 
 
 *' True, my rrJend,'* answered she, " but 
 till we have found tnis man, I must be 
 anxious for her safety. New to the world, 
 its arts and pursuits, she needs a parent's 
 care to guide her youth. This increased 
 debility and oppression may pass over, 
 bemg doubtless brought on so suddenly by 
 the excess of my joy ; but that is uncertain, 
 my life hangs on a thread, and to leave her 
 
 exposed 
 
ISO THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 exposed to danger, would embitter the 
 pangs of death." 
 
 *' De Mowbray's heart had, while she 
 spoke, swelled almost to suffocation. Many 
 circumstances concurred to make him 
 thJnk that neither Mary nor her daughter 
 would refuse him; but though the heiress 
 of Latimer was lost to him for ever, he 
 could not easily resolve to offer himself 
 even to the beauteous Corally. At length, — 
 
 ''Lady," said he, ''I do not know the 
 man who deserves your daughter^ — nature 
 linth in person formed her by its fairest 
 model, and the education you have bes- 
 towed already produces tiie most promising 
 blossoms of the virtues you have inculcated. 
 Did I possess the fortunes of my house, 
 iind a lieart to bestow, so prosper me 
 Heaven, if I would not glory to of^er them 
 t'o Corally; but it is impossible, bankrupt 
 in v/ealih. and a heart lacerated with a pas- 
 sion 
 
THE CROSS. 13 J 
 
 sion it can never overcome, both lionour 
 and rectitude forbid it." 
 
 ^•-And so prosper me, Heaven,, de Mow- 
 bray," repeated she, " as I know thee vir- 
 tuous, if I v;ould not prefer thee for a son 
 to a monarch. In jewels, though not suf- 
 ficient for splendour, we have enough for 
 all the comforts of life; — for thy lacerated 
 heart, 'tis a v/eakness beneatli thee to 
 nourish a fruitless and sinful passion. I 
 speak only from what I have myself expe- 
 rienced. I loved Hamet, he was my hus- 
 band, and the father of my child ; but no 
 sooner did I consider the passion I felt for 
 him inimical to my faith, than T resolved to 
 tear it from my heart, though my life 
 should be the forfeiture." 
 
 ^' Gratitude, affection, and honour. 
 Lady, combine to make me your's. — ^But 
 for you, T had been numbered with the 
 dead^ or what is worse, a slave to barba- 
 rians. 
 
182 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 rians. — Say your wishes, behold I am ready 
 to fulfil them. — If you daremtrust me with 
 the happiness of Corally, I will perish be- 
 fore either her or you shall repent that 
 condescension." 
 
 ** I dare intrust you, de Mowbray, with 
 ivhat I hold most dear, but I dare not tax 
 your gratitude too highly. — Retire to night, 
 if I am able, we will converse further to* 
 morrow. — What has passed is a secret to 
 all but ourselves." 
 
 " So saying she arose, 'and, assisted by 
 Malka, left the apartment. 
 
 '* De Mowbray passed a night of torture, 
 but felt somewhat relieved by unbosoming 
 himself to la Roche, whose respectability 
 and superiority of years he considered as 
 entitled to advise him. 
 
 •^ My friend," said la Roche, *^you ask 
 my opinion, and I will candidly give it. — 
 By your own testimony yon can form no 
 
 hopes 
 
THE CROSS* ] S3 
 
 hopes of the heiress of Latimer. Corally Is 
 beautiful beyond any woman I ever saw, 
 she is innocent as the dove, and gentle as 
 the lamb; add to which, she has been edu- 
 cated in the true principles of piety. At 
 your age, de Mowbray, the heart cannot 
 be insensible to beauty, and where can you 
 find so lovely and befitting^ a bride ? — She 
 already looks up to you with esteem and 
 affection, you may mould her to your 
 wishes; her duty will be her highest plea- 
 sure, and in the arms of chaste wedded 
 love, you will forget a passion which hath 
 hitherto imbittered your life." 
 
 *' Not to dwell on the subject, de Mow- 
 bray, when he next saw Mary la Pole, was 
 her accepted son-in-law. Corally received 
 him with blushes, but they were the 
 blushes of true maidenly modesty, in which 
 reluctance had no share; and a month 
 having elapsed, they were united by the 
 rites of the church* 
 
 5^ Some 
 
184 TH2 PILGKlJVr OP 
 
 ^^ Some short time after, the news 
 reached them, that King Henry tiie second, 
 after a short iUness, said to have been oc- 
 casioned by grief from his sons entering 
 into a league against him, had died in 
 N6rmandy; and the crown devolved to 
 Richard Cceur de Lion. This prince was 
 still it^flamed with the desire of going on a 
 criTsade, in which he was to be joined by 
 the King of France; and in order the bet- 
 ter to enable him to fiiiiil iiis wishes, he 
 resolved to sell the sovereignty which he 
 held over the kingdom of Scotland. 
 • " The news of Henr)/'s death raised the 
 most ardent desire in de Mowbray to 
 repair to England; he, however, carefully 
 concealed it, for such was both Mary and 
 Corally's study, to gratify him, that his 
 •smallest wish was law. The first, how- 
 ever, intrusted with his story and obligations 
 to King Richard, easily guessed his desires, 
 and one day addressing him, said, — 
 
 'J I 
 
TH'E CROSS. 185 
 
 ^' I have been thinking, my dear son, 
 that a sea voyage might be serviceable to 
 me, and, if you are willing, we will adven- 
 ture to England." 
 
 *' To England!" repeated de Mowbray,, 
 with astonishment, — *^ not for worlds, in 
 your weak state, Lady." 
 
 " De Mowbray," replied she, ^^ the 
 happiness of those most dear to me, is the 
 most efficacious medicine; in giving thee 
 Corally, our fates became interwoven, and 
 thy country and friends mine. Richard,, 
 when prince, was thy preserver; he scarcely 
 yet knows whether tbou escaped the 
 slaughter in Palestine, and may think some 
 carelessness of thine occasioned the failure 
 of the Christians. My advice is, that thou 
 should repair to liis court; — Corally must 
 remember she is a soldier's \\\{e, and no 
 weakness of mine shall prevent thy fulfilling 
 thy duty>" 
 
 ^' Moot 
 
186 THE PILGBIM OP 
 
 " Most honoured of women," answered 
 de Mowbray, ** I know no duty superior to 
 that which I owe you ; and never shall a 
 life so precious as your'a be hazarded on 
 my account.'* 
 
 " There iB no danger;^ my weakness is' 
 not so great as it was some time since; the 
 rapture I experienced on reaching Europe^ 
 was, I believe, the true cause of so alarming 
 a change. During my voyage hither, I 
 was even better than usual, and am resolved 
 to adventure with you now." 
 
 '' Corally, who knew no will but that of 
 her mother and her husband, acquiesced 
 with the former; and as the weather was 
 uncommonly fine, and la Roche espoused 
 the same opinion, de Mowbray's objections 
 were all over-ruled, and the voyage resolved 
 upon* 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CKOSS. 187 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The Chronicle continued, 
 
 xjlLL being arranged and a vessel en- 
 gaged, they set sail for England; the sea 
 air, beyond their hopes, had the most 
 salutary effect on the exhausted frame of 
 Mary, who recovered the use of her limbs 
 during the voyage. While they were on 
 shipboard, de Mowbray resolved to inform 
 Corally of every event of his former life, 
 fcxirful that in England they might reach 
 
 her 
 
188 THE PILGRIM OF' 
 
 her in a less tender manner than he should 
 himself relate them. Corally heard him 
 with interest and compassion ; the purity of 
 her own mind rendered her unsuspicious of 
 his, and his tenderness and attention for her 
 were such, that she had no doubt that she 
 was now the entire possessor of his heart. 
 
 ^^ Their vessel was bound to the port of 
 London, where King Richard had arrived 
 some time before, he being in Normandy 
 at the time of his father's death. 
 
 '' De Mowbray's first design was to write 
 immediately to the Baron Falconberg ; but 
 to his great grief he was infbrmed, on his 
 enquiry, that, the baron had been dead 
 some months, bequeathing his fortune, un- 
 conditionally, to his daughter, the Baroness 
 de Pointz. Ti^is intelljgence afBicted de 
 Mowbray deeply. Le Val's health was pre- 
 carious vvhen he left England, and should 
 ha also be dead, a letter niiglit fall into other 
 
 hands- 
 
THE CKOSS. 189 
 
 liands thaa he wished It. Thus uucertaia 
 how- to act, he rej^olved to repair to the 
 court, but being a total strariger there, de- 
 'tennined, before he appeared publicly^ to 
 endeavour to obtain a private audience with 
 the king. 
 
 ^' For tliis purpose, having recruited 
 his strength by a fcw days repose, and Mnry 
 and Corally being placed in a comfortable 
 dwelling, and la Roche with them, he re- 
 paired to the court, but, was surprised at 
 the preparations he saw making in a spa- 
 cious field adjoining it. The ground was 
 enclosed with a railing, seats were fixed 
 around, and at the upper part was a chair 
 of .state raised by a flight of steps, covered 
 with tapestry, and over it a canopy of crim- 
 son ornamented with gold. 
 
 " DeMowbray's curiosity was excited : — 
 
 " For what purpose, I pray you," said he, 
 
 addressing one of the pursuivants, "are 
 
 these 
 
tgO THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 these preparations ? — some tournament, I 
 judge, of which the king is to be umpire." 
 
 *' Not so,'* answered the pursuivant, 
 *^ you are doubtless a stranger, or you must 
 have heard of the great cause depending, 
 and which the king, unable to judge, hath 
 ordered to be decided by single combat, 
 which is to take place to-morrow.*' 
 
 " I thank you, — I am a stranger at 
 court. — The parties are of high rank, by 
 the preparation ; and the cause, I suppose^ 
 of consequence?'* 
 
 " The parties are high and powerful; — 
 the one is a woman, for whom, though a 
 month hath elapsed since the proclamation 
 hath been issued, yet no champion hath 
 offered, though she is both young and 
 handsome, and many think her cause just; 
 but they either judge it not of consequence 
 sufficient to venture their lives, or suppose 
 it would set a bad precedent." 
 
 ^^And 
 
THE CROSS. 191 
 
 *•* And what, I pray you, may it be, if I 
 ■do not too far intrude on your patience?" 
 
 " The pursuivant bowed, and added,— 
 
 " You say you are a -stranger, or you 
 
 -iTiust have heard of the Baron Gilbert de 
 
 Pointz, and the heiress of Latimer, sole 
 
 daughter of Hugh, Baron Falconberg, — 
 
 they are the parties/' 
 
 ''The Baron de Pointz and the heiress 
 of Latimer P' exclaimed he^ with an emotion 
 which he could not repress, but struggling 
 to conceal it, he added, — '' I leave heard 
 o^ them, I pray you continue?" 
 
 '' Well then, the Baron de Pointz wedded 
 the heiress of Latimer, though the world 
 says, that the maid was never cordial to the 
 union ; and therefore, as she herself avers, 
 she insisted on a bond being given previous 
 to the marriage, wherein it was specified, 
 that she should ever be at liberty to reside 
 at the castle of Latimer, if she so willed it. 
 
 This 
 
ig^ THE PILGRIKI OF 
 
 This bond, as she says, was signed by'the 
 Baron de Pointz, u-nder a great forfeiture:; 
 and was witnessed by her father, and the 
 superior of tlie monastery of Black Friars, 
 in the vicinity of her castle. The superior 
 died suddenly some eight months since, and 
 the Baron P^alconberg two months after, 
 leaving his daughter sole heiress and exe- 
 cutrix of his wealth. Some say he was not 
 pleased with his son-in-law, which might 
 be true, for he was not even mentioned in 
 his testament. After the baron*s death, 
 de Pointz wished his wife to accompany 
 him to his estates in Normandy, which she 
 at first gently refused, when he becoming 
 more peremptory, she pleaded her bond, 
 afid hath at length brought it before the 
 king." 
 
 '' But what said the Baron de. Pointz?" 
 demanded de Mowbray, " doth he attempt 
 •to falsify the agreement?" 
 
 "He 
 
THE CROSS. 193 
 
 '^^ He disclaims it altogether, and avers.' 
 that it is a gross fabrication between Fal- 
 conberg and his daughter; that they pur- 
 chased the signature of the superior by a 
 rich bequest which the baron made the 
 year before his death to their monastery : 
 and finally, he appeals to the king -and the 
 judges, whether any man would intrust so 
 dangerous a power in Iiis wife, as rendering 
 her in a. manner independent of his will, or 
 submit to fix himself, like an old tree, on 
 her domain. He wedded her for comfort 
 and society, and what comfort or society 
 could accrue from so divided an interest? — 
 This plea the king allows, but on the other 
 side, insists, if the bond was given, honour 
 and justice demand it should be fulfilled'; — 
 and, unable to form a decided judgment, 
 or unwilling to offend the baron, he hath 
 ordered it to be decided by single combat, 
 should any champion appear for the lady.'* 
 VOL. I. K ^f The 
 
IQ-k THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 "The pursuivant ceased^ and so lost in 
 astonishment was de Mowbray, that he 
 stood some minutes without making a 
 reply, at length he said, — 
 
 *' In whose hands, I pray you, is now the 
 bond?" 
 
 "Jn those of the herald. — More than 
 one hath seen it, and declare the writing 
 to be the Baron Falconberg's.'* 
 
 "Could I be permitted to look at it?" 
 said de Mowbray. " Simple curiosity 
 alone doth not influence me, as you shall 
 know hereafter." 
 
 " The pursuivant with kindness, though 
 with a look of credulity, directed him to 
 the herald; when the bond being shewn 
 him, he examined it carefully, and having 
 expressed his thanks, returned to his habi- 
 tation, regardless of his attendance .on the 
 king. 
 
 "His 
 
THE CROSS. IQb 
 
 *"* His heart was so full of the adventure, 
 that he disclosed it openly to his friends, 
 who heard it with astonishment. 
 
 '^ Although it be a wife's duty to follow 
 her husband wheresoever he goeth, in all 
 kwful obedience," said Mary, '^ yet that 
 duty ceases, if lie claims more than what is 
 coniFnanded-by the holy rites, or tyrannises 
 where he is bound to cherisli and protect. 
 Such a bond claimed before marriage, (for 
 de Mowbray must know the baron's hand,) 
 argued a suspicion of the future husband; 
 and no attempt being made before to re- 
 move the lady, shews also that the Baron 
 de Pointz has no good intent, but perhaps 
 means to take her from England, that she 
 may be more in his power, and subject to 
 his controul. The lady hath no brother to 
 do her right, nor to clear her father's 
 name from the opprobium cast on it as a 
 fabricator of falsehood. His castle shielded 
 K 2 thy 
 
Xg5 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 thy youth, my son ; he gave thee an edu- 
 cation befitting the rank of thy parents, 
 and though the ties of blood are not on 
 thy side, yet those of honour and gratitude 
 bind thee " 
 
 ^' Oh, my mother, my friend/' exclaimed 
 de Mov/bray, *^how happy do you make 
 me; — -I had resolved to break my deter- 
 mination to you, but you kindly prevent my 
 wishes. My gentle Corally weeps. — Fear 
 not for me, my love, — Heaven will protect 
 me in the cause of justice, and of an op- 
 ^pressed and helpless woman." 
 
 " The modest eye of Corally was cast 
 upon her shape, — 
 
 ^^ Ah,*' said she, ^Mf the pledge I bear 
 of my affection to de Mowbray, be doomed 
 'to be fatherless, whose sorrows will equal j 
 mine ? — No combat can give me back a . ^ 
 husband, the first choice of my heart, — no 
 champion replace the father of my infant!'* 
 
 "De 
 
THE CROSS. 197 
 
 *"* De Mowbray caught her in his arms, 
 he kissed the tears from her pale cheeks, 
 and assured her he had no doubt of success. 
 
 *^ Nor have I any for thee/' said Mary, 
 ** for Heaven gives strength and courage to 
 thejust; vvhilevice and falsehood render the 
 arm nerveless and the heart cold. — Be 
 comforted, my child, all will be well; never 
 shall it be said of thy husband, and of my 
 son, that the bread of the baron nourished 
 his youth, for him to stand tamely by and 
 hear him disgraced when he cannot defend 
 himself, or see his daughter enslaved against 
 an agreement which her father doubtless ■ 
 approved, and her husband signed.'* 
 
 " La Roche entered into the views oF 
 de Movi^bray, he had been a soldier in his 
 youth, and declared he would attend him 
 to the field; — even - Corally, supported by 
 the spirits of her mother, and the assurances 
 K3 of 
 
198 THE PILGEIM OF 
 
 of de Mowbray, at length sighed a reluctant 
 consent. 
 
 ''Though de Mowbray had before re- 
 solved to stand forth the champion of the 
 heiress of Latimer, (for at that moment he 
 had forgotten every thing but that she was 
 in need of his assistance,) yet he was pleased, 
 when he considered, that in the act he had 
 the approbation of his friends. 
 
 CHx\PTER 
 
THE CKOS-Si 1Q9 
 
 CHAFIER XT. 
 
 The Chronicle continued. 
 
 v^N the appointed morning, all being 
 arranged, and the king seated, surrounded 
 by his nobles, and those of inferior rank, in 
 their respective places,- a noise from without 
 to make way, resounded through the field, 
 and the Baroness de Pointz, . in mourning 
 weeds, for her father, supported on one 
 side by her confessor, and on the other by 
 her steward, le Val, entered, and making a 
 K 4 reverence 
 
200 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 reverence to the king, was about to take 
 one of the lower seats, when Richard com- 
 manded her to be placed on a stool, imme- 
 diately beneath his chair of state, and bend- 
 ing his head, whispered her to be of good 
 courage, — 
 
 ^^AU," said he/ ^Ms not yet lost;— I 
 shall blush for my subjects, if there be not 
 one man found who possesses gallantry suf- 
 ficient to defend the cause of so fair a lady; 
 yet should it be so, though I cannot anni- 
 hikte the baron's power over you, I will 
 keep it under such good restraint, that he 
 shall not dare misuse it, without provoking 
 my anger.'* 
 
 " The baroness bowed and universal si- 
 lence ensued; when the trumpets having 
 sounded three times, the Baron de Pointz, 
 mounted on a barbed courser, gallantly ac- 
 coutred, and armed at all points, with his 
 drawn sword in his hand, approached the 
 
 lists^ 
 
THE CROSS. 20 1 
 
 lists, preceded by his herald, who pro- 
 claimed in his name, that a bond brought 
 against him, by his wife, Christabelle^ Ba- 
 roness de Pointz, heiress of Latimer, and 
 bearing the signature of the Baron Falcon- 
 berg, and the superior of the monastery of 
 Black Friars, near Aukland, as witnesses, 
 was a wicked and malicious forgery, de- 
 signed to deprive him of the power he had 
 over her, as her lawful lord. — Defying all 
 to mortal combat who should gainsay it, 
 or uphold her in her wilful disobedience, 
 contrary both to the laws of God and 
 man. 
 
 ^^ The herald concluded by throwing 
 down the gauntlet of the baron, as a gage 
 that he was ready to maintain the combat. 
 
 " De Pointz then passed the barrier, and 
 
 having alighted, made his obedience to the 
 
 king, crossed himself on the forehead and 
 
 bosom, and took his seat within the lists, 
 
 K 5 in 
 
202 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 in order to be ready should any opponent 
 offer. 
 
 *^ He had scarcely taken his place^ when 
 a second trumpet resounded from the other 
 end of the field, and laRoche, as an esquire, 
 stepped forward, took up the gage, and 
 returned the defiance. — He was immedi- 
 ately followed by Robert de Mowbray, 
 mounted on a white steed, caparisoned with 
 crimson velvet, himself in complete black 
 armour with his beaver down, and on en- 
 tering the lists, he cried aloud,— 
 
 '' God defend the right:' 
 
 '^ Having performed the usual cere- 
 monies, the Baron de Pointz, viewing him 
 haughtily, said aloud, — 
 
 '' Valiant and noble knights conceal not 
 their faces, I am not bound to soil my 
 sword with the blood of hireling ruffians, 
 nor to put my life in competition with 
 
 theirs; 
 
THE CROSS. 203 
 
 theirs; — and none else, I judge^ would op- 
 pose me in this cause." 
 
 " There is yet one,'* answered de Mow- 
 bray, coming forward and removing his 
 beaver, '^ one, who though inferior to the 
 Baron de Pointz in the gifts of fortune, can 
 boast to be even more than his equal in 
 truth, and in those honours which are 
 transmitted by ancestr3\'' 
 
 *^ The Baron de Pointz was silent from 
 astonishment; de Mowbray had long been 
 thought to have fallen in Palestine, while 
 the king, though equally surprised, rising 
 from his seat, exclaimed, — 
 
 ^^ By my life, I doubt the evidence of 
 my senses! — It surely cannot be Robert 
 de Mowbray?" 
 
 *^ It is indeed, my honoured liege lord 
 and master," replied he, bending his knee, 
 ^^ \i is Robert de Mowbray who. Heaven 
 directed^ hath reached this land in time to 
 
 vindicate 
 
294 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 vindicate the honour of his ancient friend 
 and patron, the Baron Falconberg. — 
 Thrice is he a liar who dares affirm the 
 bond to be false; — the signature is the 
 baron's, and so prosper my soul, as I will 
 defend it while iny arm can wield a sword. 
 The baron^ though his mind was empoi- 
 soned with falsehood respecting myself, was 
 too noble and brave to consent to a sub- 
 terfuge, and who says otherwise, is at once 
 a knave and a liar/' 
 
 ^^ De Mowbray," said the king, ^^ so 
 much do I rejoice to see thee, that I wish 
 this encounter could be avoided, for thy 
 information will be of the most essential 
 service to me." 
 
 'Mf I fall, my Liege, my friend, la 
 Roche, will relate to you all that hath hap- 
 pened to me in Palestine; — but for the 
 combat, I^ pray you excuse me, and let it 
 proceed." 
 
 *^As 
 
THE CROSS. 205 
 
 *^ As de Mowbray spoke he cast his eyes 
 on the heiress of Latimer, who but for the 
 support of le Val had sunk on the earth. — 
 Her lips were unclosed as if attempting to 
 speak, but their power of utterance was 
 lost ; her eyes were fixed, but de Mowbray 
 swam only for a moment before her sight, 
 when all recollection and km:)wledge for- 
 sook her. 
 
 *' Robert de Mowbray, *^' said the Baron 
 de Pointz, struggling with his astonishment, 
 "^ this deed is in truth worthy thy formei*^ 
 conduct ! not content with endeavouring 
 to seduce the daughter of the Baron Fal- 
 Gonberg, thou comest now to undermine the 
 virtue of my wife." 
 
 ** Were it not to deprive me of my just 
 revenge," replied de Mowbray, ** I would 
 the lie might choak thee. The heiress of 
 Latimer in becoming thy wife, was guilty 
 of the only act that ever cast the shadow 
 
 of 
 
206 THE PILGPJM OF 
 
 of weakness on her conduct. — Bat this 
 parley is vain, we lose time. — So please you, 
 my Liege," addressing the king, '^ to give 
 command that the combat begin." 
 
 ^' The king paused, when the heiress of 
 Latimer, recalled to recollection, arose, 
 and throwing herself at the "king's feet^ j 
 exclaimed, 
 
 «^ My gracious luoxd, I pray you sus- \ 
 pend the combat; in either case I must ^ 
 lose a husband or a brother, for such hatii 
 de Mowbray been to me from my infancy. — 
 lam content to be the victim; — let the 
 Baron de Pointz give, before your High- 
 ness, a bond to suffer me to reside only 
 three months yearly on the estate of ■ 
 Latimer, the other nine I devote to his 
 will." 
 
 " Not so," interrupted de Mowbray, 
 ^^ I came not here on a boy's sporting 
 match. The Baroness de Pointz is an 
 
 agent 
 
THE CROSS. 207 
 
 agent for herself, but here I stand forth in 
 the name of my patron, the Baron Fal- 
 conberg, whose spirit calls upon me from 
 the tomb to defend his injured honour.'*^ 
 
 " Richard finding all persuasion vain, 
 first raised the baroness from his feet, then 
 unwillingly gave the necessary orders to 
 the marshal; who having measured the 
 lances of the combatants, they mounted 
 their steeds, and closing their beavers, fixed 
 their weapons in their rests, when the 
 trumpets sounding a charge, both began 
 their career, with a violence which only the 
 most deadly animosity could inspire. 
 
 '^ The Baron de Pointz, though dex- 
 terous and manly, was no match for the 
 skill of de Mowbray, who at the second 
 encounter, rushed against him with such 
 force, that he threw him from his horse 
 and broke his spear. Nothing daunted, 
 de Pointz arose and drew his sword, and 
 
 called 
 
208 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 called on de Mowbray to dismount and do 
 the same, if he meant to support the cha- 
 racter of valour he had heretofore usurped. 
 De Mowbray, jealous of his honour, did 
 not need to be twice bidden ;. he leaped 
 from his horse, and drawing his weapon, 
 they fought like men who were resolved to 
 conquer or die. De Mowbray received 
 two wounds, one in the shoulder, and an- 
 other in the side; but as if the blood that 
 flowed from him redoubled his vengeance, 
 Ije in return aimed so heavy a stroke at his 
 antagonist, who caught it on his wrist, that 
 he not only disarmed him, but his right 
 hand, from the shock, fell powerless by liis 
 side. 
 
 " Yield," cried de Mowbray, '' vile 
 defamer of the dead! — thou poor oppressor 
 of a helpless woman, yield, and confess thy 
 falsehoods^ or thou dyestl'' 
 
 '' Strike!" 
 
THE CROSS. 209 
 
 ^^ Strike!" replied de Pointz, ^^ strike! 
 I will not take my life as the gift of the poor 
 Robert de Mowbray. Strike! I repeat, 
 and by a blow free thyself and the baroness 
 from a rival who obstructs your fondest 
 wishes. Why do'st thou hesitate ? 'tis but 
 a blow, and thou may*st wed the heiress 
 of Latimer, revel in my wealth, and with 
 beggarly pride lord it over my infant son." 
 
 '^ Calculated as this speech was to in- 
 flame the anger and bitterness of de Mow- 
 bray, he had neither time to answer by 
 words, nor with his sword, for the barOness, 
 who had sat during the combat with her 
 face covered with her spread hands, rushed; 
 forward, and throwing herself between 
 them, exclaimed, — '' Hold, de Mowbray,. 
 I charge thee hold, by. the fri^.idship of our 
 childish days! — De Pointz is my husband, 
 and the father of my child, and I will not 
 ^tand calmly by and see him slain !" 
 
 '' False- 
 
210 THE PILGRIivI OF 
 
 " False woman ! if thou art so ready to 
 fulfil thy duty, what prevented thy at- 
 tending me to Normandy ? — Shall I assist 
 thy memory : — Though I was ignorant, 
 thou doubtless was well informed thy 
 minion was at hand, not or>ly ready to de- 
 fend thy present disobedience, bwt to lead 
 thee into greater." 
 
 ^^ My Lord," replied the Baroness, with 
 dignity, " I am your equal both by birth 
 and fortune, and not your vassal. The 
 reason I refused to follow you to Nor- 
 mandy, is -simply, that if you were to me a 
 tyrant in my own domain, what had I to 
 expect in your's, — far from those fed with 
 my father's bread, and who would lose 
 their lives in my defence ? — Good husbands, 
 my Lord, make of virtuous wom.en affec- 
 tionate and gentle wives; and you must 
 pardon me, if I inherit too much of the 
 haughty spirit of Falconberg, to brook 
 
 being 
 
THE CROSS. 2 1 I 
 
 Being^considered as the first slave attending 
 upon your commands. For the return of 
 Robert de Mowbray, I call the holy saints 
 to witness, I was ignorant of it, till I saw 
 him here, for long have T mourned him as 
 numbered with the dead.'' 
 
 ** And now/' interrupted the baron, 
 contemptuously, " he is come to comfort 
 thee. — Away, I will lose no more time 
 with thee, thou disgrace to my name! — 
 Come on, de Mowbray, conclude thy bu- 
 siness, and take ray wife for thy pains;-— 
 her rich revenues may redeem the mort^ 
 gaged lands of thy prodigal ancestors, and 
 a new race of heirs rise, like the phoenix, 
 from the ashes of the deserved obscurity in 
 which thy name is buried." 
 
 " De Mowbray, in the moment of pas- 
 sion, put the baroness aside, and grasped 
 his sword; but clasping his arm, she ex- 
 claimed^ — ^^ Oh^ for mercy, hold ! — I de*. 
 
 mand 
 
212 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 inand his life, 'tis a debt that thou, de 
 Mowbray, owest mei — / onade a greater 
 sacrifice for thee, and honour now demands 
 a return.'* 
 
 *^ Though lunderstand not the meaning 
 of your words/' answered de Mowbray, 
 slieathing his weapon, '^ his life, if neces- 
 sary to your peace, is safe; but let him be- 
 ware my paths, for we are for ever foes." 
 
 ^^ As de Mowbray spoke he bowed to 
 the baroness, who returned to her seat; 
 while de Pointz, taking the arm of his 
 esquire, left the field.'* 
 
 ^^ Now, by my soul," said Philip de- 
 Pointz, interrupting Fitz-Hugh, '' but 
 my whole blood is in a state of fermentation 
 for. my father's disgrace. Would to Heaven 
 that this Robert de Mowbray had lived till 
 now, that on his head I might have re- 
 venged this accursed dishonour." 
 
 '' Pish. 
 
THE CROSS. lis 
 
 ^^^■Pish, man, thou vvould'st have greatly 
 tnended it,'* replied -Fitz-Hugh, " by 
 sending thy life on a fool's errand, — the 
 quarrel hath long been forgotten. For my 
 part, had this Christabelle de Mowbray, 
 thy fair chronicler, lived, and I been in thy 
 place, on her alone should my vengeance 
 have fallen; — >with her would I have en- 
 tered the lists, and made the little varlet 
 ^ay for all her father's trespasses." 
 
 ^' My father's and mother's marriage 
 
 •was formed under evil auspices," replied 
 
 -de Pointz, " she never loved him 'tis plain; 
 
 and his haughty and vindictive temper was 
 
 AW calculated to conciliate her affection. — 
 
 By all I can learn, she was a wom.an of su- 
 
 ;:perior understanding ; who, by gentleness 
 
 might have been won, but v^^ho would not 
 
 stoop to be commanded. But, I pray you, 
 
 .proceed." 
 
 '' Willingly," replied Fitz-Hugh. 
 
 '' The 
 
2J4 THE PILGPJM OP 
 
 " The Baron de Pointz having left the 
 lists, and the baroness retired, the king 
 commanded his attendants to unarm de 
 Mowbray, that his wounds, which were 
 found to be slight, might be dressed.-— 
 His habiliments were then changed; after 
 which Richard said,-- *' Thrice art thou 
 welcome, valiant de Mowbray !— Heaven 
 hath, I doubt not, given victory to the 
 right; and I at once admire and applaud 
 that forbearance which spared thy -antago- 
 nist, who doubtless when calm, will blush 
 at the rash sallies his disappointed pride 
 hath uttered. So well hath thou vindi- 
 cated the honour of thy patron, and de- 
 fended the right of his daughter, that 
 henceforth T adopt thee for my friend and 
 companion; nor will I part with thee till 
 thou hast informed me all that happened 
 to thee in Palestine. The queen, my mo- 
 ther, will receive thee with pleasure, — 
 
 Since 
 
-THE CROSS. SI 5 
 
 ^ince the death of King Henry, she has 
 obtained from the baroness an account of 
 the true cause of thy quarrel with my fa- 
 ther, and often hath she applauded thy 
 spirit, and deplored the misfortunes in 
 Avhich it involved thee. Thy interference 
 in this last contest will also claim her 
 warmest applause, for much hath she been 
 interested for the heiress of Latimer." 
 
 '' De Mowbray bowed, and the king 
 jising, he, with la Roche, and the attend- 
 ant lords, followed. Richard to the queen's 
 .audience chamber; where -Eleanor realised 
 Xhe promises of her son, by her reception 
 of de Mowbray. She was surrounded by 
 «ome of the first ladies of the court; and 
 .on her right hand was placed the baroness 
 ^e Pointz, who unable to stand, from the 
 amotion she had undergone, had been al- 
 Jowed a seat. 
 
 " The 
 
21 6 THE PILGKIM OF 
 
 *' The audience ended, and the greater 
 part of the courtiers withdrawn, the king 
 requested de Mowbray to inform him ofall 
 that had passed in Palestine. — '' Much," 
 added he, '' I am convinced thou must 
 have suffered, but, thank Heaven, it is 
 past; and if the favour of Richard can 
 requite thee, behold him ready.'* 
 
 '^ De Mowbray returned his thanks, and 
 entered immediately into an account of 
 the expedition, its failure, and also his 
 captivity; bestowing deserved praises on 
 Mary la Pole, to whom he added, he was 
 indebted at once for life and liberty. But 
 when he came to speak of his marriage, 
 though he sincerely loved the innocent and 
 affectionate Coral ly, and gave her all due 
 praise, his tongue faltered, and the blood 
 alternately flushed and forsook his cheeks. 
 
 ^^ The baroness heard him with equall 
 emotion; but when he had ended, she 
 
 is- 
 
 ^ rose 
 
THE CROSS. ^17 
 
 *rose, and approaching him, saicl^-— *^ Dear 
 de Mowbray, what a weight of sorrow 
 liath thy account removed from my heart ; 
 that thou art wedded is a blessing beyond 
 my utmost hopes, as it must disperse the 
 hateful stigma that our enemies have fixed 
 both on thy name and mine." 
 
 ^* I know not. Lady/* said Richard, 
 *^ whether I had not rather that part of his 
 adventures had been omitted; for I have 
 formed a fixed resolution to have his com- 
 «pany with me in my voyage to Palestine, 
 and a young and beautiful wife is but a 
 ^log to a warrior's feet." 
 
 ^^ She shall be my care," replied the 
 <]ueen, *^ for methinks I shall be more re- 
 conciled to Richard's going on the crusade, 
 if he be accompanied by so valiant a friend. 
 De Mowbray must bring his fair Saracen 
 ^nd her mother to the court, we will be 
 acquainted." 
 VOL. I. . I^ *^ After 
 
2 IB . THE PILGRI^I OF 
 
 '^*' After more conversation the audience 
 broke up, and de Mowbray and la Roche 
 left the presence; the Baroness de Pointz 
 remaining with the queen. As they passed 
 the outward hall, the respectable steward, 
 le Val, rushed forward, and grasping de 
 Mowbray's knees, exclaimed, — '' To Hea- 
 ven and the blessed saints be the praise, 
 that I once more see you, my beloved 
 master, in safety!'* 
 
 ** De Mowbray embraced the g'ood old 
 man; and withdrawing with him, they 
 conversed as friends who had been long 
 •separated. Every circumstance respecting 
 his beloved master was interesting to le Val; 
 and every occurrence relative to the castle 
 of Latimer and its inliabitants, was eagerly 
 enquired into by de Mowbray, who not oa 
 his guard before le Val, expressed his sur- 
 prise that the heiress of Latimer could so 
 suddenly change her opinion as to espouse 
 
 the 
 
THE CROSS. IIQ 
 
 the baron, when she had expressly declared 
 to the contrary. 
 
 *^ Under her own liand/' said he, ^' I 
 am infornned that the dictates of honour 
 and gratitude made her the wife of de 
 Pointz. How that debt was incurred I 
 know not, and, in truth must regard it ra- 
 ther as an excuse for an act wdiich the 
 wavering of her own fancy dictated ; for 
 the baron promised me to press the subject 
 no further than persuasion.'* 
 
 '^ Le Val, in the warmth of the moment, 
 eager to exculpate his honoured lady, let 
 the secret escape that he had promised to 
 .conceal, and which like a stroke of 
 thunder fell on -de Mowbray. The ba- 
 roness's words were now explained, not 
 only in the letter, but at the combat; and 
 the sentence, / made a greater sacrifice 
 for tliee, seemed for some moments to him 
 L 3 as 
 
^20 THE PIIXJRIM OP 
 
 as more poignant than all the tortures that 
 the malice of man could invent. 
 
 " Cursed, most accursed of. wretches!'* 
 exclaimed he, '' why was I ever born ?— 
 I have plunged her in misery, when I 
 would have devoted mv life to have made 
 her happy. Ah, how have I accused her 
 of weakness and irresolution, when to pre- 
 serve my hated life hath occasioned all her 
 sorrow ! — Would to Heaven I had fallen , 
 in Palestine ! — death to this reflection 
 would be compassion-— mercy." 
 
 " The anguish of de Mowbray made le 
 Val sincerely repent the confession thati^ 
 had escaped him ; till the former, sensibk 
 that his emotion would make le Val more 
 cautious of what he confided in him, 
 struggled with his uneasiness, and by dif- 
 ferent questions endeavoured to divert the 
 reflection. What he further learned was| 
 not, however^ calculated to remove the first I 
 
 impression, • 
 
THE CROSS. 221 
 
 impression. The baron de Pointz, he said, 
 was a tyrant to all who depended on him — 
 that convinced the heiress of Latimer had 
 espoused him only by compulsion, he was 
 perpetually upbraiding and reviliag her — 
 that her favourite and ancient vassals were 
 particularly the objects of his enmity 
 •—and that he had more than once failed 
 in his respect to the baron, her father; 
 who sensible too late of his error, had left 
 her his sole heir, and made it his dying 
 request, that she would never yield up the 
 bond she held of residing at the castle of 
 Latimer, as there the power of de Pointz 
 would be limited, and her's always protect 
 her. 
 
 ^^ The baron's last act, he added, had 
 encreased the breach between them, till it 
 arose to such a height, that de Pointz in- 
 sisted on her accompanying him to Nor- 
 mandy; when her spirit, roused by repeated 
 L 3 insults. 
 
221 THE PILGRIM. OP 
 
 insults^ she had not only peremptorily re-* 
 fased^ but by means of her confessor, re- 
 vealed all to the queen, who interested 
 King Richard to order the dispute to be 
 settled by single combat, should any. 
 champion appear for the baroness. Le 
 Val furtlicr informed de Mowbray, that 
 by the will of the baron, he would find 
 his little patrimony carefully kept, and alsa 
 some jewels, as memorials of his friendship^ 
 The communication ended, de Mowbray 
 returned home, whither la Roche, at his 
 desire, had previously dispatched a mes- 
 senger, with the news of his safety, and 
 the issue of the combat. 
 
 '^ As one given from death, Corally re- 
 ceived him ; and while she clasped him in«. 
 her arms, with fervent gratitude she called 
 upon the saints to witness her thankfulness 
 for the protection they had yielded him. 
 
 '' The 
 
THE CROSS, 123 
 
 ^^ The satisfaction of Mary la Pole was 
 scarcely inferior; and de Mowbray after- 
 wards speaking to la Roche of his feelings 
 at that moment, said, — '" When I con- 
 sider the beauty, virtue, and dignity of the 
 heiress of Latimer, I think her more than 
 mortal, and look upon myself as the most 
 unhappy of men, not to have been per- 
 jTiitted to pass my life in her service; yet 
 when the innocent and lovely Corally 
 smiles upon me, and in the true natural 
 language of aftection, awakens me to my 
 -duty, I feel my ingratitude, and sensible 
 of the blessing I possess, I consider how- 
 little I deserve to be intrusted with thu 
 happiness of such an angel." 
 
 1 4 CHAPTER 
 
224 THE PILGRIM OS^ 
 
 eHAPTER XIK 
 
 The Chronicle cmtinuecL 
 
 vJn the ensuing morning de Movvbray. 
 received a message from the king, to attend 
 him at an early hour; which being punctu- 
 ally obeyed, Richard informed him that he 
 designed to depart immediately for Pales- 
 tine, and had appointed him the immediate 
 command under himself. The severe mis- 
 fortunes de Mowbray had suffered, had 
 not abated his ardour; and though he felt 
 
 the 
 
THE cnoss. 225 
 
 the ties which love and duty had imposed 
 on him, he could not resist the temptation, 
 and before they parted, Richard obtained his 
 promise to be ready to accompany him at 
 the appointed time. 
 
 " On h\^ return home, to his infinite 
 surprise he found le Val conversing among 
 his domestics; and was speedily informed 
 that the Baronesss de Pointz was with 
 Mary la Pole and Corally. On his en- 
 trance he found the heiress of Latimer 
 seated between his mother and wife; and 
 though he was at first confused, the har- 
 mony that appeared among them speedily 
 removed it. He learned that the baroness 
 was already apprised of Richard's design 
 of engaging him to join the army, and in 
 consequence had seized that opportunity 
 to ofl^er an asylum to the strangers, either 
 in the castle of Latimer, or on the domain 
 of ihe Baron Falcon berg. 
 
 L 5 '' The 
 
•220 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 '^ The breach between the Baron de 
 Pointz and inyself," continued she, *' is 
 irreconcileable; last night le Val heard 
 that he had given orders for his removal to 
 Normandy. Daring yonr absence, de 
 Mowbray, those 'who are dear to you shall 
 be my care; but should' you return safe, 
 which Heaven grant, we must be, if not 
 strangers, at least not inmates. I will de~ 
 serve no slander, and if it reaches me un- 
 merited, it shall never touch my heart. — 
 In one object only am I vulnerable, and 
 that is in the person of my child, whom I 
 dread that his f^ither should remove from 
 my care. Not that I fear his affection for 
 him, or that he should neglect to educate 
 him as becomes his fortune or high birth, 
 but whose tenderness for him can equal 
 mine, v/ho nourished him at my bosom, 
 and in his infant smiles found the only 
 solace to my woes; — Ah, should he inherit 
 
 the 
 
THE CROSS, 227 
 
 the proud imperious manners of his father, 
 how many bless^ings will he deprive himself 
 of! — for though he may be feared he can 
 never be loved. Should it be my happy 
 task to rear hisinfant years, with anxious care 
 would I root out the seeds of those vices, 
 which might make him a scourge to his 
 fellow creatures, for with what exultation," 
 added she, with enthusiasm, " should I 
 contemplate my son, as distinguished 
 for virtue and noble deeds, as in the 
 pride of his birlh, or the greatness of his 
 wealth." M 
 
 "Alas! dearestjfc^st of women^- thou 
 wer't doomed nev«r more to clasp that 
 darling son to '^ly maternal bosom ! 
 — Torn from thee,"^ and educated in a fo- 
 reign land, he hasSTbeen taught to think of 
 his mother with 'contempt and detestation. 
 She who would have died for him ! — she 
 who never ceased to petition Heaven for 
 
 his 
 
228 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 his welfare and happiness! — she who ex- 
 pired with a blessing for him on her lips! 
 Ah, I must lay down the pen, — sorrowful 
 remembrance presses too heavy on my 
 heart!" 
 
 Fitz-Hugh paused for a moment, and 
 fixed his eyes on de Pointz, who was visibly 
 affected. 
 
 '' Would to Heaven," said he, " I had 
 seen her, but the wish is vain ; and I could 
 in the bitterness of reflection envy the 
 daughter of de Mowbray the share she 
 held in her affection. — That family was 
 surely doomed to supplant both my father 
 and myself in her heart." 
 
 " If a man will leave a vacancy in his 
 wife's heart for another to supply," replied 
 Fitz-Hugh, " or from a slave turn a ty- 
 rant, can we wonder if she resents it ?— 
 If ever I wed^ Heaven send me a help- 
 mate 
 
THE CROSS* 229 
 
 mate with a mind as active as my own ; for 
 should she prove- one of those milk and 
 water souls, incapable of love or hatred, 
 'tis ten to one but that both my virtue and 
 duty nods, if even they escape falling fast 
 asleep.'* 
 
 "Though perhaps I am of thy opinion/' 
 answered de Pointz, " yet in respect to my 
 parents, I would that my father had pos- 
 sessed a better temper, or my mother less 
 spirit. To have been happy, he should have 
 wedded a woman whom he could have 
 raised to his own state, and whom poverty- 
 would have made sensible of the obligation; 
 not one whose rank was equal, if not su- 
 perior to his own?' 
 
 As de Pointz remained silent, Fitz-Hugh. 
 proceeded with the narrative. 
 
 " A.gain I resume the pen. Me thought 
 the task would beguile my sorrow, alas ! on 
 
 the 
 
230 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 the contrary it hath torn open my wounds. 
 La Roche says my grief is sinfnl, — Heaven 
 best knows, but if it be so, the offence is 
 involuntary; I will however dwell less on 
 the circumstances, and hasten to end the 
 direful story. 
 
 *' The baroness appeared charmed with 
 Mary and Corally ; and the praises she be- 
 stowed on both, dropped like the refresh- 
 ing dews of Heaven on the heart of de 
 Mowbray. All were sad at the thought of 
 his again tempting the dangers of Pales- 
 tine; but the high honours the king ap- 
 peared inclined to heap upon him were not 
 to be declined. 
 
 *' Corally's gentle spirit was too much 
 oppressed to find relief in words; while 
 the pious soul of Mary, was wrapped in 
 prayers for success to crown the Christiaa 
 cause. At the same time she cautioned 
 her son-in-law, in the battle's rage to re- 
 
 jueiDber 
 
THE CROSS. 231 
 
 member that the ties of blood united him 
 to Hamet, and that duty and religion 
 combined to make his life the object of his 
 care. 
 
 *^ The baroness, though she felt the full 
 weight of her last obligations to de Mow- 
 bray, and, in truth, loved him as a brother, 
 yet on the whole could not regret his de- 
 parture; though she deplored the cause 
 that made it necessary for her own honour. 
 
 ^' As all had long been prepared, the 
 king and his army soon after left England; 
 previous to which Corally, with the ba- 
 roness, visited the court, where she received 
 some rich presents from the queen, and 
 her beauty and innocence became the ad- 
 miration of all who saw her, which perhaps 
 not a little contributed to remove the 
 opprobrium from the character of de Mow- 
 bray, of having sinister views in serving the 
 Baroness de Pointz. 
 
 '' The 
 
232 THE PILGHIM OF 
 
 '^ The separation on all sides was sor- 
 rowful; but the cares of Mary and the 
 baroness were united to make it fall as 
 lightly as possible on Co rally. Some few 
 days after the departure of de Mowbray, 
 who was accompanied by la Roche, a vessel 
 being engaged, the baroness and her friends 
 embarked for the coast of Durham; having 
 previously learned that the Baron dt Pointz 
 was entirely. recovered, and liad sailed for 
 Normandy. 
 
 " As they approached the northern coast, 
 every feeling of the baroness's heart was 
 overpowered by the thought of seeing her 
 son. She spoke of him m rapture to her 
 friends — she anticipated the change which 
 the four months stie had been absent must 
 have made in his growth, in his manner, 
 and person — was convinced he had not 
 forgotten her — recounted his playful actions 
 —dwelt on hts half articulated words — ■ 
 
 and 
 
THE CROSS* !233'' 
 
 and already in idea felt his chubby hands 
 clasping lier neck, and saw his mouth 
 held to receive the maternal kiss. 
 
 " The baroness and Corally were de- 
 lighted to find Mary la Pole bear the jour- 
 ney better thnn they eiipected; and at 
 length raaching the coast, le Val, with 
 Bome of the vassals, rode forward to prepare 
 the castle for their reception, while they 
 slowly followed. 
 
 " The arrival of the baroness, though 
 after ever so short an absence, had always- 
 been a signal for rejoicing, but no sound 
 of joy now reached her; the castle gates 
 were indeed thrown open, and the do- 
 mestics came out, but with a solemnity 
 that filled her mind at once with dread 
 and dismay. 
 
 '' Where is my child, my Philip?'* ex- 
 claimed she, ^' why is he not brought to 
 meet, me? — ^Ah, the Virgin forefend!-— 
 
 Oh.. 
 
^34 THE PILGRIM' OF 
 
 Oh, my prophetic soul!- — Ke is lost! deacJ 
 to me for ever!" 
 
 " Not dead, most honoured Lady," an- 
 swered le Val,. " blooming in health and 
 strength, he was forcibly borne from the 
 castle seven days since by a party of the 
 baron's- vassals, headed by himself, and 
 taken on board a ship whicii brought 
 them, to the coast." 
 
 *^ The baroness heard no more, her 
 senses overpowered were for some time 
 suspended, and when recalled to reflection,, 
 she prayed to be led to her chamber; 
 where,^ after giving way to the most severe 
 lamentations, she sunk into a stupor, which 
 was succeeded by a fever that i'or many 
 weeks threatened her life. During this 
 severe calamity, Corally never left her, but 
 watched or slept by her side, administered 
 her medicines, wept over her, and implored 
 the saints to give her. comfort..- 
 
THE CROSS. 135- 
 
 '^ As the violence of the disease abated, 
 the pious consolations of Mary la Pole in 
 some measure softened her grief. She com- 
 pared her situation with what her own had 
 been, when she had every reason to dread 
 Corally being taken from her ; who in that 
 case would have been brought up an In^ 
 fidel, and in all probability have given birth 
 to a race of unbelievers, to abhor and per- 
 secute the Christian faith, 
 
 *^ On your part,'*^ added she, ^^ yea 
 have none of these deadly fears for your 
 child; he will be educated under a noble 
 father, who though passion and jealousy 
 may have made guilty of errors, reveres- 
 the true belief, and will fail in no duty it 
 commands to his son. You will indeed be 
 deprived of the satisfaction of seeing him,, 
 but yoacan be constantly informed of his. 
 "welfare, pursuits, and improvement, if not 
 
 from 
 
236> THE PILGRIM OK 
 
 from the baron, at least from some person*"^ 
 whom you may employ for that purpose." 
 
 '^ As the baroness slowly recovered, the 
 active mind of Mary engaged her in a 
 fresh pursuit* De Mowbray's small patri- 
 mony had bean much increased by the 
 Baron Falconberg's care; she therefore 
 resolved to devote a part of her own pro» 
 perty in the endowing a small religious 
 house for twelve nuns, in which tlie ba- 
 roness readily agreed to bear a more than 
 equal part. In the vicinity was a monastery 
 of Black Friars, and at a short distance, 
 the heiress of Latimer possessed a large 
 dwelling, then untenanted; which being 
 properly prepared, and consecrated to the 
 Holy Virgin, an annual sum was settled for 
 its future and lasting endowment, 
 
 '* During these preparations, Corally 
 gave birth to a daughter, for whom the 
 baroness answered at the font ; and who, 
 
 sorrowful 
 
-THE CROSS. *13J 
 
 sorrowful remembrance, hath outlived all 
 those most dear to her; and who, though she 
 hath taken up the pen as a chronicler, cannot 
 forget that she is speaking of parents and 
 friends, and the historian's page is marred 
 ^with the tears of the daughter and the pupil. 
 " Christabelle appeared the joint care of 
 the whole party. Ct)rally, tender mother, 
 ^ nourished her at her bosom ; and as she 
 -dropped a tear on her infant's face, 
 breathed a silent prayer for de Mowbray. 
 The baroness cherished her as her own; 
 and as she encreased in age, to be sen- 
 sible of her caresses, would struggle with 
 her rising anguish, an<l softly ejaculate the 
 name of her son. 
 
 " Mary la Pole, equally affectionate, 
 but more detached from worldly objects, 
 prayed the saints to guide her youth to 
 truth and virtue, or to snatch her while 
 uncorrupted from the dangers of the world. 
 
 "The 
 
•^33 THE PILGRIJvl OF 
 
 ■*' The religious house being completed-, 
 and a chapel erected adjoining, Mary la 
 Pole declared to the baroness, and her 
 daughter, her design of retiring thither for 
 the remainder of her days; a -resolution 
 that they opposed with all the power of 
 entreaty and persuasion. Both were, how- 
 ever, vain, and they were at length obliged 
 to yield; though the baroness, by her in- 
 terest, unknown to Mary, caused her to 
 be nominated first abbess of the house, 
 which was soon filled with the appointed 
 number of pious matrons and virgins. 
 
 " It was at this period that the son of le 
 Val came with his wife and infant from the 
 south, where they had ever before resided. 
 They were retained in the castle of Latimer, 
 John to assist his father in the cares of the 
 household, and Cicely to take charge of 
 Christabelle, in the place of Malka, wha 
 accompanied her mistress into the convent. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CROSS. 239 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 YVie Chronicle continued. 
 
 jL he King of England and Philip ot 
 France met on the borders of BurgLindy, 
 where they entered into a solemn league of 
 mutual support. Their joint armies 
 amounted to an hundred thousand fighting 
 men; and taking their passage by sea, 
 they were detained • for some months in 
 Sicily by bad weather, after which they 
 proceeded to Palestine. 
 
 " From 
 
'240 ^HE PILGIUM OF 
 
 ** From Sicily, a messenger who brought 
 letters for the queen, conveyed also packets 
 for Mary la Pole, the baroness, and Co- 
 rally; these informed them, that de Mow- 
 bray was well, and liigh in favour with his 
 sovereign, as was also la Roche, and that 
 they were on the point of embarkation. 
 
 '^ Alas! these were the only letters ever 
 received; the valiant, but unfortunate Ro- 
 bert de Mowbray, was doomed to perish 
 in a foreign land 1 no affectionate bosom to 
 support his mangled and bleeding body,— • 
 no friendly ear to catch his last words, — no 
 pious tongue to speak comfort to his fleet- 
 ing spirit. Again my weak soul sinks in 
 despondency ; yet a cheering ray shall dis- 
 perse the gloom ! — Myriads of blessed 
 saints supported the fainting strength of 
 the warrior who perished in their cause- 
 angels whispered peace to his parting 
 
 breath. 
 
THE CROSS. 241 
 
 breath, and the heavenly choir received his 
 soul into everlasting peace ! / 
 
 ^^ On reaching Palestine the combined 
 army besieged the city of Aeon ; though 
 previous to that event, the ill health of the 
 King of France, or his jealousy of Richard, 
 had caused him to return home, leaving 
 only ten thousand of his troops, under the 
 command of the Duke of Burgundy. The 
 city withstood the crusaders four months]; 
 but they were at length victorious, and it 
 surrendered upon composition, forty thou- 
 sand Saracens being slain in the field of 
 battle. The wings of the English army 
 were at the first defeated; but Richard, 
 attended by Robert de Mowbray, (I dare 
 not trust my pen with the tender name of 
 father) boldly led on the main body, and 
 restored the battle. Saladin in person was 
 at the head of his troops, Hamet bore the 
 VOL. I. M second 
 
242 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 second command; and animated with more 
 than savage fury, in the very heat of dan- 
 ger sought out de Mowbray, whom la 
 Roche saw surrounded with a host of foes, 
 when he was at too great a distance to af- 
 ford him relief. Alas! in that conflict he 
 fell, perhaps by the haiid of Hamet! — 
 Merciful Heaven, if so, remove the weight 
 of blood from his soul ! — Happily, that 
 circumstance was never disclosed to Mary- 
 la Pole, or his widow; la Roche preserved 
 the dreadful secret till they were incapable 
 of sorrow. 
 
 ^^ More honour than advantage being 
 gained by the war in Palestine, King 
 Richard prepared to return home, having 
 first come to an accommodation with Sa- 
 ladin; when, among other articles in favour 
 of the Christians, their slain were not only 
 allowed burial, but a chapel, dedicated to 
 
 St. 
 
THE CROSS. 2>13 
 
 -*St. Jobn^ was afterwards erected near the 
 spot where their bodies were deposited. 
 
 " The confusions in England demanding 
 the speedy return of the king, he took 
 shipping with a few followers^ and arrived 
 at Ragusa; from whence passing through 
 Germany, he was made prisoner, and de- 
 tained more than fifteen months, by the 
 machinations of his brother John. During 
 this interval, la Roche returned with the 
 troops ; and was the sorrowful messenger of 
 what he had not ventured to write. 
 
 ^^ Alas this is a subject on which I can- 
 not dwell! — The curse attendant on infi- 
 delity appears to hang over all, however 
 innocent, allied to Hamet. Heaven re- 
 move it from Christabelle. — At the 
 foot of the holy altar her life will be 
 well employed in intercessions for her 
 own and her parents peace.- — The baroness 
 M 2 indeed 
 
244 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 indeed forbade it; but there is a duty y6t 
 superior to all worldly considerations. 
 
 ^* The news brought by la Roche, ap- 
 peared the sentence of death to the affec- 
 tionate wife of de Mowbray, who was deaf 
 to the voice of comfort ; while the baroness^ 
 though her sorrow was visible in her pale 
 and sunken features, endeavoured to con- 
 ceal it, and redoubled her cares for the wi- 
 dow and orphan of her friend. For Mary 
 la Pole, whether the grief she felt for de 
 Mowbray preyed upon her fragile and de- 
 caying form, or that the slow^ but certain 
 venom which had so many years under- 
 mined her constitution, at length seized a 
 mortal part, is uncertain, but she survived 
 the intelligence only two months. Firm 
 and collected in the final struggle, she 
 caused herself to be brought into the chapel 
 of the convent, where the baroness, and 
 her daughter Corally attended, the former 
 
 bearing 
 
THE CROSS. 245 
 
 Bearing in her arms the infant Christabelle. 
 The dying saint repeatedly blessed lier 
 daughter and her grandchild, praying Hea- 
 ven to enable the first to bear the decrees 
 of Providence with more fortitude, and to 
 protect the latter through the storms of. 
 life she must naturally pass. She then re- 
 commended both to the care and friend- 
 siiipof the baroness, entreating her to di- 
 rect the inexperience of the wife of de 
 Mowbray, and in case of her death, to be 
 a parent to her child. The baroness ac- 
 cepted the trust in the face of Heaven^ — 
 in the face of Heaven did she truly and 
 worthily fulfil it, for never did Christabelle, 
 till her death, feel the loss of^ parent. 
 
 *' The promise of the baroness ob- 
 tained, Mary la Pole said, — '^ I have now 
 done with the world — the account is almost 
 closed — the painful dream is nearly over. 
 Gruel friendsj why will you mourn the 
 M 3 happy 
 
246 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 happy change ?— Come, my kind sisters/' 
 addressing the nuns, though she evidently 
 spoke with difficulty, " know ye not "that 
 tired babes will drop asleep to the sound 
 o( music? — One hymn, I pray you, it will, 
 soothe the pangs of death and separation." 
 " Tiie sisters obeyed, though so greatly 
 had her piety and gentleness made her be- 
 loved, that their voices were choaked with, 
 anguish. Her eyes were fixed upon the 
 altar,, her lips pressed the cross; and as 
 the solemn requiem for departing spirits re- 
 sounded through the vaulted roof, her pious 
 soul, without a groan, escaped to join its- 
 kindred angels.. 
 
 CHAPTER 
 
THE CROSS. 247 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The Chronicle concluded. 
 
 (4 ry 
 
 HE loss of Mary la Pole was the 
 final blow to the health of the widow of de 
 Mowbray, who a short month after closed 
 her eyes for ever. Ah! often hath the 
 heiress of Latimer said, that her beauteous 
 form was but a faint emblem of her yet 
 f more perfect mind; and that she ever ap- 
 peared to her as an angelic spirit, suffered 
 for a while to dwell on earthy to shew man- 
 M 4 kind 
 
2i& THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 kind how many graces and virtues might 
 dignify mortal clay, yet how unstable and 
 fragile, both to the possessor and the world. 
 '* Christabelle de Mowbray had now no 
 friend but the baroness; and when she first 
 learned the tender name of mother, to her 
 it was applied, and to her it was alona due» 
 The death of her parents known, the queen 
 offered to adopt the orphan, but the ge- 
 nerous baroness declined the favour; and 
 the death of King Richard, some few years 
 after, made her quite forgotten, except in 
 the castle of Latimer, where she dwelt for 
 eighteen years, the most blessed of human 
 beings, — the only drawback on her happi- 
 ness, the occasional melancholy that hung 
 on her benefactress. Though she was, on 
 all hands, informed that her son was, both 
 in mind and person, such as her fondest 
 wishes could desire, yet her heart languished 
 to see him ; and she would frequently de- 
 clare. 
 
THE CROSS. 249 
 
 clare, that, she should think the half of her 
 wealth well spent, to purchase that hap- 
 piness for a single hour. Repeated letters 
 .did she remit to the baron for that purpose, 
 but in vain ; she died without the gratifi- 
 cation on which she founded all her worldly 
 happiness. 
 
 " I cannot proceed, anguish overpowers 
 me ! — T can no longer remember that I 
 am a simple narrator, — I feel I am a 
 daughter! — Ah, should this ever fall into 
 the hands of those who hate me, let them 
 not deny me that title, — I loved her as a 
 mother, and she loved me as a child. In 
 recapitulating the melancholy history of my 
 family, I weep for my parents — for my 
 grandmother; but infancy rendered these 
 misfortunes at the time unknown, and 
 playful childhood afterwards thought of 
 them but as of a nurse*s sad tale, for which, 
 when related we give a passing tear, and 
 M 5 .\^iiich 
 
250 THE PILGRIM OP 
 
 which though the remembrance remains 
 the bitterness is lost. Not so the baroness, 
 she supplied the loss of all— to her was my 
 love and duty transferred — her smiles con- 
 stituted my happiness. She said my 
 affection prolonged her life — yet, alas! she 
 expired in my arms! 
 
 " I have been sick at heart, and not- 
 able to write a long time. The good and 
 respectable le Val sleeps with the dead ; 
 and Cicely informs me, that news is ar- 
 rived that the Baron de Pointz is no more. 
 Heaven be merciful to him ! — I will go 
 pray. 
 
 " A messenger from Philip de Pointz is 
 arrived; — why did my hands tremble so 
 that I could not open his letter ? — I never 
 injured him, but would give my life to 
 possess his friendship; though for his 
 
 wealth 
 
THE CROSS. 251 
 
 wealth I will not share it^ — that of Robert 
 de Mowbray is enough for me. 
 
 '' Report says he resembles his mother 
 — the gentleness of his address bespeaks 
 the same noble generoas temper; nay, I 
 have read his letter till i think his hand 
 writing is of the same character as her's. 
 
 ^' Still is my head disturbed ; — la Roche, 
 whom the baroness commanded me to 
 consult on all occasions, obstructs my 
 wishes of entering into a religious life. I 
 will no borrowed honours, nor be the re- 
 jected bride of any man ; nor yet accepted, 
 because even the baroness so wished it. — I 
 feel I am the daughter of de Mowbray, — 
 Philip de Pointz is the lawful heir to the 
 heiress of Latimer. 
 
 '^ The baron declines the estate of his 
 mother; but he shall have it notwith- 
 standing. 
 
252 THE PILGPvIM OP 
 
 standing. Ah ! I would I were his sister, 
 — the soil of the baroness would be all 
 the world to me, 
 
 " My head burns, iny heart beats as 
 though it would flutter through my bosom! 
 —-De Pointz in a few short weeks will be 
 at the castle of Latimer. Ah ! I cannot 
 see him, he will blame the blind partiality 
 of his mother; he will regard me as one 
 of the causes of the disunion of his parents 
 — he will think with bitterness of mine. 
 
 *' Heaven be praised, the kind and pious 
 la Roche at length consents to my wishes; 
 he will suffer me for a while, lie says, to try 
 a conventual life. — He is now my only 
 friend. 
 
 ** I am preparing to depart for St. Mary's, 
 I shall there be better. I can talk to the 
 aged Malka respecting my parents — the 
 
 spirits 
 
THE CROSS. 253 
 
 spirits of those I love will hover round me 
 — in the solemn thanksgivin|^A^l fancy 
 1 hear thei'r voices — and 1 ca^^Hre weep 
 unmolested over their ashes." 
 
 There ended the manuscript, which 
 Fitz-Hugh laying down, said, with visible 
 emotion, — 
 
 '^ By my life, this Christabelle de Mow- 
 bray, whom I never saw, hath cost me 
 more sighs than I ever yet bestowed on 
 the whole sex conjoined. Yet," continued 
 he, endeavouring to banish the melancholy 
 that overspread de Pointz's features, '* she 
 was a silly little elf; she might have strug- 
 gled with her grief, and remained at the 
 castle till thou came to comfort her. Had 
 she not suited thy fancy, I, on such an oc- 
 casion would willingly have stood forth thy 
 deputy; though I scarcely think she would 
 have possessed suiBcient spirit for me." 
 
 "Thou 
 
254. THE PILGllIM; OP 
 
 " Thou must remember/' answered de 
 Pointz, ^^ tliat through the whole of the 
 chronicle, her mind was impressed with 
 dark images, her health also was impaired ;- 
 and towards- the last, grief and agitation 
 had produced a fever, which gave Cicely 
 the utmost alarm for her reason. But 1 
 will, according to my promise, end this 
 eventful tale." 
 
 ^' I pray thee,'' replied Fitz-Hugh, '^ omit 
 nothing, for I am sincerely interested." 
 
 ^' Thou knowest then," said de Pointz^ 
 " I read the manuscript in my mother'* 
 chamber. I had retired about the hour of 
 nine; and the bell for early matins at the 
 neighbouring monastery had rung ere I 
 concluded. It was yet dark, I had ridderv 
 all the preceding day, and both my body 
 and my spirits were weary, yet did I feel no 
 disposition to sleep. Every event of the 
 chronicles dwelt on iny fancy, and I eagerly 
 
 longed 
 
THE CROSS. 2:5 5- 
 
 longed for day, that by questions I might 
 gain further intelligence; but was ashamed 
 to satisfy an unavailing curiosity, at the ex- 
 pence of awakening the sleeping v^assajs, 
 Harrassed with thinking, I at length threw 
 myself on the couch ; and fatigue over- 
 powering me, soon dropped into a profound 
 sleep. It was, however, short and unre- 
 freshing, for as a mirror reflects the objects 
 that dwell upon its surface, so did my mind 
 retain the remembrance of what I had 
 read; and like Robert de Mowbray in the 
 dungeon of Hamet, impress it upon my 
 fancy with a strength I should be humili- 
 ated to confess to any one but thyself.-^ 
 Even in sleep, the gloomy chamber, and 
 the surrounding melancholy objects, still 
 appeared before me, mingled with the 
 images of those of whom I had been read- 
 ing; until, at length, these suddenly fleet- 
 ing from my fancy, methought a man of 
 
 more 
 
256 THE PILGRIM OF 
 
 more than mortal stature, alone, and In 
 compleat armour, stood before me, and 
 raising his beaver, to my astonished sight 
 presented the features of my frither. The 
 accustomed loftiness of his demeanor had 
 given place to a sorrowful languor. — He 
 took up the crucifix that was placed on the 
 table, and waving it over me, remained at 
 the foot of the couch, his eyes fixed on 
 me with mildness, but as one lost in 
 contemplation. 
 
 " What is your will, xny Lord ?" in idea, 
 I exclaimed, " behold your son is ready, 
 command him, his life is devoted to fulfil 
 your wishes, and where injured to avenge 
 you." 
 
 *' Vengeance appertains to Heaven 
 alone," answered he, in a firm but hollow 
 tone. — " To Palestine thy destiny points; 
 —away, and let my perturbed spirit rest!'* 
 
 '' So 
 
THE CROSff. IbT 
 
 ^^ So saying, methought he again waved 
 the crucifix ; after which he replaced it on 
 the table, and rising by degrees, vanished 
 through the roof of the chamber, before I 
 had collected myself sufficiently to reply. 
 
 " Such was the effect of this vision, that 
 I awoke starting from the couch, and with 
 a sentiment of fear that I should despise 
 myself if I thought it in the power of mortal 
 man to inspire me with. The rays of 
 day beamed into the chamber, and a few 
 minutes were sufficient to banish alarm but 
 not remembrance; the idea was impressed 
 on my memory, and from that moment I 
 formed the design of visiting the Holy- 
 Land as speedily as opportunity should 
 suit. I know thou wilt laugh, but thou 
 art welcome; — I feel myself as weak as thou 
 can'st think me.'* 
 
 ''For thy dream,'* replied Fitz-Hugh, 
 '^ I consider it as nothing more than one 
 
 of 
 
^58- TH3 PILGRIM' OF 
 
 of the common visions occasioned by s 
 heated imagination; — fatigue^ the chamber^,, 
 the subjects of the chronicle, all conspired; 
 and that Palestine should, of all others, be 
 the place fixed upon, was the most pro- 
 bable, as that had the most interested thee. 
 Marry, the Greek poet, Tc4emaehu8, waa' 
 but a type of thee; he had a father to seek,, 
 thou hast none, but from a romantic fit of 
 duty obeyest even the commands of thine 
 In a dream. Had I possessed thy wealth,- 
 I. would have consulted all the soothsayers 
 in the land, but that I would have fcmnd 
 an easier solution; for, as thou knovyest 
 dreams are said to go by contraries, thine 
 should have led thee to avoid Palestine. 
 However, we are embarked, and the en- 
 terprise must be com pleated. One cir- 
 cumstance is at least well, for as the son 
 of Ulysses had a guide and friend, in the 
 Goddess of Wisdom, under the form of 
 
 Mentor, 
 
THE CROSS. 239 
 
 Mentor, so hath the son of de Pointz a 
 monitor «nnd instructor in the person of 
 some of the Deities, though I know not 
 which, under the form of the sage, Fitz- 
 Hugh." 
 
 De Pointz could not restrain the smile 
 the sally of Fitz-Hugfi was meant to call 
 forth. — *M trust,'' replied he, ^* we shall 
 then keep clear of the island of Calypso, 
 or, 1 fear, all the prudence of my Mentor 
 will be scarcely sufficient for liimself." 
 
 ** Nemo mortalium omnibus horis sapit,''* 
 replied Fitz-Hugh, '^ I hate promises, but 
 will do my best; — but T pray thee, if thou 
 liast not finished thy account, conclude, 
 and then we will endeavour to consider it 
 all as a dream," 
 
 '^ I would in truth it were nothing more," 
 answered de Pointz, '' but to proceed, I 
 rose from the couch, replaced the ma- 
 la uscript, and descended to the hall, where 
 
 I 
 
2.60^ l^HE PILGRIM OF 
 
 I was speedily attended by some of the 
 vassals, and among others by Cicely, whom 
 I informed, after some previous discourse^, 
 that I had read the chronicles of Clirista- 
 belle de Mowbray.- — " I grieve that you 
 l)ave been so employed during the nighty 
 my Lord,'* answered she^ ** for you can 
 have had no time to sleep, if I may judge 
 by the weary weeks she employed in writing; 
 them, and from which not all the power 
 or persuasion of father la Roche could dis- 
 suade her; and who, at times, was even 
 forced to soothe her by entering into long 
 details respecting her parents." 
 
 " The name of la Roche is frequently 
 mentioned in the manuscript," said I, 'Ms 
 it the same person you allude to?*' 
 
 *^Yes, my Lord, but now more pro- 
 perly called Father James, of the Franciscan 
 Monastery. — He entered that order within 
 a year after the death of the Baron de 
 
 Mowbray^ 
 
THE CROSS. 261 
 
 "Mowbray, to whom be was sincerely at- 
 •tached; he is now verging towards seventy., 
 but healthy and in full possession of his 
 intellects." 
 
 '' By the trust reposed in him in my 
 ■mother's testament, he stood high in her 
 good will." 
 
 '^He did, my Lord, and with justice; 
 
 /and so truly did he love the Lady Christa- 
 
 belle, whom he had known from her birth, 
 
 that not his own child, had he been a father, 
 
 could be more dear to him." 
 
 " Would it be too much, good Cicely," 
 -€aid I, *^ to request the company of the 
 friar, when his leisure serves?" 
 
 " No, surely, even last night he came 
 to the castle, to enquire after your health; 
 but could not be prevailed upon to let me 
 inform you, as he said you must be fa- 
 itigued after so long a journey, and rest was 
 
 necessary^ 
 
•^62 TIfE PILGRIM OP 
 
 •necessary. — No doubt he will call this 
 •inoming.'* 
 
 ^' I pray you then admit him ; all those 
 whom my mother loved shall have the 
 consideration of her son/* 
 
 '' Cicely turned aside, I saw her eyes 
 filled with tears, and to divert the discourse, 
 asked her of her husband and family. She 
 informed me, that John le Val, who had 
 succeeded his father in the stewardship of 
 the castle, was absent about one hundred 
 and fifty, miles, on the domain of de Mow- 
 bray, where the Lady Christabelle had be- 
 queathed them a small patrimony, and that 
 his only daughter had accompanied him. 
 They had departed previous to the arrival 
 of my last messenger, she said, which she 
 hoped would excuse the apparent omission 
 of their duty. 
 
 [' The conversation then reverted to 
 some of the characters the manuscript had 
 
 made 
 
THE CRO'SS. 263 
 
 made me acquainted with; but Cicely knew 
 little previous to the death of de Mowbray's 
 widow, having only been an inmate in the 
 castle since Malka retired into the Convent 
 with Mary la Pole. The convert was still 
 •'living, and by the ])ermission of the heads 
 of the church, had taken the veil, and was 
 universally respected for lier piety. 
 
 ^^ These communications passed while I 
 was at breakfast, which was scarcely con- 
 cluded* when one of the vassals entered to 
 inform me that Friar James entreated to 
 pay his duty to the son of his late respected 
 friend, the baroness. — I immediately or- 
 dered him to be admitted, and as he en- 
 tered Cicely withdrew." 
 
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 FABLES, 
 
 Calculated for the Amusement and Instruction of Youth ; 
 
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