"Saracens they were not," said her brother, "but to what extent they believed in our holy religion Becket was not prepared to state. They spoke several dialects of the Europeans, and at the commencement of the crusades, turned their course towards the Holy Land, in the pleasant hope of serving both God and mammon with the sword." "And what farther chanced to the Saxon?" inquired the countess. "He returned through France, and when I saw him at Feschamp, had engaged his passage to England. And now, dear sister, I have come to take my leave of thee, in order to accompany him." "The news thou hast brought has removed a burden from my heart, and nerved me to my duties," said his sister. "But wherefore wouldst thou to England?" "I have learned that the Duke of Bretagne is pressing his suit with the fair Matilda, and I must away to see that the prize be not riven from my grasp." "Hast heard aught of the Countess of Huntingdon?" inquired Adela. "Aye, and strange news concerning her have I for thine ear. Thou knowest 'tis scarce a twelvemonth since the death of her husband Simon; and she has again entered the holy estate of matrimony." "Impossible!" exclaimed Adela. "She who so longed for the quiet of conventual life!" "She was forced to forego her own inclinations to escape the tyranny of Rufus," returned Henry. "Poor Maude!" said Adela, "her life has been a continual sacrifice to the selfish interests of others." "Her patient meekness disarms even her cruel fate," said Henry. "Simon always regarded her with the most devoted affection, and made her sole heir to all her father's former possessions. It is said that our brother Rufus had fixed his eye upon the charming widow, and that to avoid his addresses, she accepted the hand of David, prince of Scotland." "She will then be thy best advocate with David's sister, Matilda." "Truth," said Henry. "The future Queen of Scotland shall aid to place the crown on the head of the future Queen of England. Farewell. When I come again I hope to present thee my lovely bride." "Heaven speed thy purpose," said the countess, fervently, and thus they parted. CHAPTER XII. "I rather tell thee what is to be feared, Than what I fear."