France, and the more potent juice of the German grape, soon made him
forget the cold and thirst he had endured in the forest. The beer he
quaffed with peculiar pleasure, as it invitingly foamed in a silver
tankard, which had been thickly embossed by the abbot of Wansfort, and
presented by him to the Emperor Baldwin previous to his embarkation
for the Holy Land.

Having praised the flavour of the beer and helped himself to some
slices from a well cured wild boar's head, he said to the chamberlain,
"And Baldwin of Avesnes is not yet arrived, you say?"

"No, Count," replied the chamberlain; "we expected he would be with
you."

"Why, my road lay through Namur, and he comes directly from Bruges. I
marvel therefore he be not arrived--and I have news for him," said the
knight.

[The next page includes a passing notice of the _introduction of
chimneys_ into England, referable, though not without dispute, to
this date:--]

The warder's horn was again heard; and after due time the person in
question made his appearance. He looked harassed and fatigued, and
gladly took the seat Count Guy pointed to, close by his own, and
having stirred the logs which burned lazily in the huge hearth, he
observed, "Methinks the wood emits this sulphureous vapour more
strongly than ever. I marvel, Guy, that you have not repaid the
compliment of the English king's invitation to your weavers, by
bringing over workmen to build you some of those long narrow passages