knight recovered himself in his seat, and, saving a slight scratch on the cheek, was uninjured.

Not so with De Marchmont, for Gloomglendell, with the same unerring hand, struck the visor of the baron, and with such force, that the head of his lance plunged deep between the bars, and both horse and rider rolled over on the green sward; while from between the grating of the ventail rushed forth a torrent of gore.

The colour fled many a cheek when they saw the helmet of Gloomglendell fall, and there were those who could not avoid burying their faces in their hands when they beheld the baron stretched within the lists, and saw the broken head of the lance projecting from his visor.

King John descended from his steed, and entering the lists, stood beside the wounded baron, who was surrounded with his own attendants and several of the men-at-arms. Sir Henry Gloomglendell had also alighted from his war

horse, and with folded arms and a serious brow gazed in silence upon his prostrate foe, for the helmet had been removed.

"Is there no one here," said the monarch, "who, for either the love of God or gold, can staunch these wounds?"

"I know somewhat of the healing art,” said the old leech, who has before figured in our pages, and who, hearing that one of his guests was about to enter into combat, had come provided with several medicines to the spot. "I know somewhat of the healing art," continued he, edging his way up to the very side of the king; "and as it regardeth colds, or rheums, or advice in preparing food; and all the cardinal"

"The devil fly away with the cardinals,” said the monarch," an' thou canst render the baron any aid, let it be done this instant."

"I fear my skill will avail nothing here," said the leech, stooping down and examining

the wound, which he began to cleanse with lint, and a clear liquid which he took from a small phial. "Let him, however, be borne into one of the tents, and I will administer a small dose of the ether of Hebe, with a decoction of the vitriol of Venus, and the blood of the red dragon."

The bleeding and senseless form of De Marchmont was conveyed into his own tent, followed by the leech and two of the attendants.

For a moment King John regarded the group as they bore away the wounded knight; then turning to Gloomglendell, he said sternly:

"I do regret me risking the life of so bold a baron in the foolish quarrel of this Saxon; and thou, Sir Knight, hadst I doubt not, more an eye to the hand of Edith, than any good-will towards this churl, who, by the brow of God, shall die within the hour."

"Whatever were my motives, my liege," replied the knight, "my quarrel with the baron

was just, and however much I may regret his fall, I have nothing to reproach me, on behalf of the Saxon whose life he did seek. Edith of Lincoln will never become his bride should he recover, but would rather spend the remainder of her days in some nunnery. Such is the mind of the maiden in that matter."

the

"The constable of Chester hath fled this challenge," my liege, said Hugh de Lacy, approaching, "and I hear hath betaken himself to the North, at the instigation of Langton, and joined those dissatisfied barons, who are attempting to renew the charter granted by the first Henry.” "May the curse of Heaven alight upon craven!" exclaimed the angry monarch. this ambitious prelate hath, I doubt not, hurried to Rome, solely to hasten the sentence of excommunication; but, by the soul of my father, an' I yield to either pope or baron, I will first fire every castle within my realm; ah! and pour forth such a horde over the land as never de

"And

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luged England since the days of the Conqueror. But what need a king fear," added he, putting on that winning countenance which no one could better assume, "while he has by his side such warriors as the Earl of Eltham, and Sir Henry Gloomglendell? And, now I bethink me, Sir Knight, should De Marchmout recover, he will, I doubt not, for some time rest quietly, without troubling himself about a bride, and we may soothe him with the possessions of this Saxon; and for thy valour will bestow upon thee the hand of Edith, that is, providing we have the noble earl's consent."

"That will I readily give, my liege," said De Lacy," and methinks your majesty will find my fair kinswoman nothing loath. But here she cometh, and will, I doubt not, speak in her own behalf."

"We trust that thou hast at last bethought thee of a boon," said the king smiling, as Edith approached," and would have thee remember