Roseline for some minutes remained in a state of total insensibility, but the Baron soon recovered sufficient recollection to look around him; his eyes were again fixed on the prisoner with a look rather of tenderness than displeasure. "Tell me, youth, (he cried,) whence comest thou?--to whom dost thou belong? Those features are as familiar to my astonished sight as they were once deeply engraved on my heart. Hadst thou worn any other countenance but that of my once-loved Isabella, my sword ere now should have taught thee to respect those sacred rites thou hast so rudely interrupted, but that is the shield which still protects thee, and by some invisible influence withholds my arm from punishing thy daring intrusion. "Then hesitate no longer, my lord, to execute your proposed vengeance!--(said Walter, gracefully bending one knee to the ground, and baring his bosom, as if to receive the uplifted sword of the Baron.)--Roseline is mine, and were there ten thousand swords ready to pierce my bosom, I would thus publicly proclaim my right." "How!--what is the meaning of all this? (said the Baron, looking with indignation at the astonished Sir Philip;)--truth appears to dwell on the tongue of this youthful stranger.--But why have I been thus grossly deceived?--why brought into this sacred place to be made a fool of by a boy and a girl?" "You must inquire of that same boy, (replied his friend,) of whose very honourable pretensions I never heard till this moment. Why do you hesitate, my lord?--why vent your rage on me, when it would be more justly and properly employed in punishing a madman who has dared to dispute your claim to the hand of my daughter?" "His countenance still protects him, (said the Baron.)--Order some of your people to take the youth into safe custody till this matter can be investigated." Father Anselm now inquired if he might go on with the ceremony. "Not till I have been heard, (cried Walter,) though you tear me piece-meal, shall you proceed!" Roseline had recovered, but she was still surrounded by her female friends. The voice of Walter operated like a charm. She gently raised her eyes to his face, and begged he would be patient; then, addressing her father, entreated he would not permit any one to hurt him: "I, and I alone, (said the generous maid,) ought to suffer.--My dear Walter, (cried she,) contend no longer for me: think not of risking a life which is too precious to be so madly thrown away. Let every circumstance which led to the painful occurrences of this morning be openly and candidly explained, and let us rest our cause on the justice and humanity of the Baron, father Anselm, and Sir Philip de Morney. I wish not to make my appeal before any other tribunal."