"By my coronet, by my knightly faith, it is true!" said the Earl,
looking from the window upon the inner square of the convent, now
filled with armed men and brandished weapons, and resounding with
the clash of armour. The deep vaulted entrance was crowded with
warriors at its farthest extremity, and blows seemed to be in the
act of being exchanged betwixt some who were endeavouring to shut
the gate and others who contended to press in.

"I will go instantly," said the Earl of March, "and soon quell this
sudden broil. Humbly I pray your Majesty to think on what I have
had the boldness to propose."

"I will--I will, fair cousin," said the King, scarce knowing to
what he pledged himself; "do but prevent tumult and bloodshed!"



CHAPTER XI

Fair is the damsel, passing fair;
Sunny at distance gleams her smile;
Approach--the cloud of woful care
Hangs trembling in her eye the while.

Lucinda, a Ballad.


We must here trace a little more correctly the events which had
been indistinctly seen from the window of the royal apartments,
and yet more indistinctly reported by those who witnessed them. The