William had subdued the rebel province of Maine, and moved by the declining health, and incessant pleading of his beloved Queen, had accorded to his refractory son a full pardon for his late rebellion, "promising at the same time, to grant him everything that he could expect from the affection of a father consistently with the duty of a king." Thus peace was restored throughout the Conqueror's dominions, and the royal family happy in their reunion, kept merry Christmas in the capital city of Rouen. "Sweet sister mine," said Robert to Adela, as she sat engaged upon the famous Bayeux tapestry, "pray leave the royal nose of our valiant sire, which thou hast punctured and cross-stitched, till verily it seems to bleed beneath thy fingers, and lend an ear to thy brother's words." "Now, gramercy! Curthose," said Adela, laughing, "thou must have a distinct impression of thy noble father's visage, since thou canst not distinguish his nose from the 'fiery train' of the terrific comet." "Nay," said Robert, taking up the simile, "the Conqueror's fiery train in England, has wrought more terror than all the comets since the days of Julius Cæsar, as the inhabitants of York will testify; but come, lay aside that odious tapestry, I have other work for thy skilful fingers." "My duteous brother would, perhaps, employ them in puncturing his noble sire, at the field of Archembraye, but a maiden's needle wounds less deeply than a warrior's sword," said Adela, archly. "Certes, thy tongue is sharper than thy needle," said Robert, reddening, "and thine eyes outdo thy tongue. On the field of Archembraye I did but wound my father's arm, while one bright shaft from thine eyes has pierced Count Stephen's heart." "Methinks a heart so vulnerable, should be clad in armor," said Adela, reddening in her turn. "Thy woman's wit doth run before my speech and prophesy my errand," said Robert. "The Count Stephen, of Blois, bids me entreat the fair Adela to bind him in _ring armor_, that the friend of Robert may be his brother in arms." "_He_ bids thee!" said Adela, dropping the embroidery. "Is the count, then, in Rouen?" "Even so, bien amie," replied Robert. "Hast thou not marked a noble figure entering the church at twilight, and emerging at sunrise, his regards bent upon the ground except, perchance, when he steals a glance at my charming sister, accompanying her mother to matins or vespers." "In truth, I marked such a youth," said Adela, blushing, "but wherefore frequents he not the court?" "He holds his vigil of arms till twelfth day," replied Robert, "and the Conqueror has promised, that ere the Yule-clog, as Atheling calls it, has ceased to burn, he will himself lay the accolade of knighthood upon the shoulder of the young count. 'Tis my father's wish that his children assist at the ceremony." "My father's wish!" said Adela, in a tone of deep surprise.