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and the noble Athelstane of Coningsburgh, speak only the language, and
practise only the manners, of our fathers. We therefore decline with
thanks your Highness's courteous invitation to the banquet. To-morrow,
the Lady Rowena will take upon her the state to which she has been
called by the free election of the victor Knight, confirmed by the
acclamations of the people."

So saying, he lifted the coronet, and placed it upon Rowena's head, in
token of her acceptance of the temporary authority assigned to her.

"What says he?" said Prince John, affecting not to understand the
Saxon language, in which, however, he was well skilled. The purport of
Cedric's speech was repeated to him in French. "It is well," he said;
"to-morrow we will ourself conduct this mute sovereign to her seat of
dignity.--You, at least, Sir Knight," he added, turning to the victor,
who had remained near the gallery, "will this day share our banquet?"

The Knight, speaking for the first time, in a low and hurried voice,
excused himself by pleading fatigue, and the necessity of preparing for
to-morrow's encounter.

"It is well," said Prince John, haughtily; "although unused to such
refusals, we will endeavour to digest our banquet as we may, though
ungraced by the most successful in arms, and his elected Queen of
Beauty."

So saying, he prepared to leave the lists with his glittering train, and
his turning his steed for that purpose, was the signal for the breaking
up and dispersion of the spectators.

Yet, with the vindictive memory proper to offended pride, especially
when combined with conscious want of desert, John had hardly proceeded
three paces, ere again, turning around, he fixed an eye of stern
resentment upon the yeoman who had displeased him in the early part of
the day, and issued his commands to the men-at-arms who stood near--"On
your life, suffer not that fellow to escape."

The yeoman stood the angry glance of the Prince with the same unvaried
steadiness which had marked his former deportment, saying, with a smile,
"I have no intention to leave Ashby until the day after to-morrow--I
must see how Staffordshire and Leicestershire can draw their bows--the
forests of Needwood and Charnwood must rear good archers."

"I," said Prince John to his attendants, but not in direct reply,--"I
will see how he can draw his own; and woe betide him unless his skill
should prove some apology for his insolence!"

"It is full time," said De Bracy, "that the 'outrecuidance' [19] of
these peasants should be restrained by some striking example."

Waldemar Fitzurse, who probably thought his patron was not taking the
readiest road to popularity, shrugged up his shoulders and was silent.
Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of
the multitude became general.

In various routes, according to the different quarters from which
they came, and in groups of various numbers, the spectators were seen
retiring over the plain. By far the most numerous part streamed towards
the town of Ashby, where many of the distinguished persons were lodged
in the castle, and where others found accommodation in the town itself.
Among these were most of the knights who had already appeared in the
tournament, or who proposed to fight there the ensuing day, and who, as
they rode slowly along, talking over the events of the day, were greeted
with loud shouts by the populace. The same acclamations were bestowed
upon Prince John, although he was indebted for them rather to the
splendour of his appearance and train, than to the popularity of his
character.

A more sincere and more general, as well as a better-merited
acclamation, attended the victor of the day, until, anxious to withdraw
himself from popular notice, he accepted the accommodation of one of
those pavilions pitched at the extremities of the lists, the use of
which was courteously tendered him by the marshals of the field. On his
retiring to his tent, many who had lingered in the lists, to look upon
and form conjectures concerning him, also dispersed.

The signs and sounds of a tumultuous concourse of men lately crowded
together in one place, and agitated by the same passing events, were now
exchanged for the distant hum of voices of different groups retreating
in all directions, and these speedily died away in silence. No other
sounds were heard save the voices of the menials who stripped the
galleries of their cushions and tapestry, in order to put them in safety
for the night, and wrangled among themselves for the half-used bottles
of wine and relics of the refreshment which had been served round to the
spectators.

Beyond the precincts of the lists more than one forge was erected; and
these now began to glimmer through the twilight, announcing the toil of
the armourers, which was to continue through the whole night, in order
to repair or alter the suits of armour to be used again on the morrow.

A strong guard of men-at-arms, renewed at intervals, from two hours to
two hours, surrounded the lists, and kept watch during the night.






Thus, like the sad presaging raven, that tolls

and the noble Athelstane of Coningsburgh, speak only the language, and

practise only the manners, of our fathers. We therefore decline with

thanks your Highness's courteous invitation to the banquet. To-morrow,

the Lady Rowena will take upon her the state to which she has been

called by the free election of the victor Knight, confirmed by the

acclamations of the people."

So saying, he lifted the coronet, and placed it upon Rowena's head, in

token of her acceptance of the temporary authority assigned to her.

"What says he?" said Prince John, affecting not to understand the

Saxon language, in which, however, he was well skilled. The purport of

Cedric's speech was repeated to him in French. "It is well," he said;

"to-morrow we will ourself conduct this mute sovereign to her seat of

dignity.--You, at least, Sir Knight," he added, turning to the victor,

who had remained near the gallery, "will this day share our banquet?"

The Knight, speaking for the first time, in a low and hurried voice,

excused himself by pleading fatigue, and the necessity of preparing for

to-morrow's encounter.

"It is well," said Prince John, haughtily; "although unused to such

refusals, we will endeavour to digest our banquet as we may, though

ungraced by the most successful in arms, and his elected Queen of

Beauty."

So saying, he prepared to leave the lists with his glittering train, and

his turning his steed for that purpose, was the signal for the breaking

up and dispersion of the spectators.

Yet, with the vindictive memory proper to offended pride, especially

when combined with conscious want of desert, John had hardly proceeded

three paces, ere again, turning around, he fixed an eye of stern

resentment upon the yeoman who had displeased him in the early part of

the day, and issued his commands to the men-at-arms who stood near--"On

your life, suffer not that fellow to escape."

The yeoman stood the angry glance of the Prince with the same unvaried

steadiness which had marked his former deportment, saying, with a smile,

"I have no intention to leave Ashby until the day after to-morrow--I

must see how Staffordshire and Leicestershire can draw their bows--the

forests of Needwood and Charnwood must rear good archers."

"I," said Prince John to his attendants, but not in direct reply,--"I

will see how he can draw his own; and woe betide him unless his skill

should prove some apology for his insolence!"

"It is full time," said De Bracy, "that the 'outrecuidance' [19] of

these peasants should be restrained by some striking example."

Waldemar Fitzurse, who probably thought his patron was not taking the

readiest road to popularity, shrugged up his shoulders and was silent.

Prince John resumed his retreat from the lists, and the dispersion of

the multitude became general.

In various routes, according to the different quarters from which

they came, and in groups of various numbers, the spectators were seen

retiring over the plain. By far the most numerous part streamed towards

the town of Ashby, where many of the distinguished persons were lodged

in the castle, and where others found accommodation in the town itself.

Among these were most of the knights who had already appeared in the

tournament, or who proposed to fight there the ensuing day, and who, as

they rode slowly along, talking over the events of the day, were greeted

with loud shouts by the populace. The same acclamations were bestowed

upon Prince John, although he was indebted for them rather to the

splendour of his appearance and train, than to the popularity of his

character.

A more sincere and more general, as well as a better-merited

acclamation, attended the victor of the day, until, anxious to withdraw

himself from popular notice, he accepted the accommodation of one of

those pavilions pitched at the extremities of the lists, the use of

which was courteously tendered him by the marshals of the field. On his

retiring to his tent, many who had lingered in the lists, to look upon

and form conjectures concerning him, also dispersed.

The signs and sounds of a tumultuous concourse of men lately crowded

together in one place, and agitated by the same passing events, were now

exchanged for the distant hum of voices of different groups retreating

in all directions, and these speedily died away in silence. No other

sounds were heard save the voices of the menials who stripped the

galleries of their cushions and tapestry, in order to put them in safety

for the night, and wrangled among themselves for the half-used bottles

of wine and relics of the refreshment which had been served round to the

spectators.

Beyond the precincts of the lists more than one forge was erected; and

these now began to glimmer through the twilight, announcing the toil of

the armourers, which was to continue through the whole night, in order

to repair or alter the suits of armour to be used again on the morrow.

A strong guard of men-at-arms, renewed at intervals, from two hours to

two hours, surrounded the lists, and kept watch during the night.

Thus, like the sad presaging raven, that tolls