Produced by Al Haines. [Illustration: Cover art] [Illustration: "Down the nave Sybil came.... It was evident that she knew perfectly well where he stood who was to wear the crown." P. 317] _Lady Sybil’s Choice_ _A Tale of the Crusades_ BY EMILY SARAH HOLT AUTHOR OF "MISTRESS MARGERY," "SISTER ROSE," ETC. "This Tale in ancient Chronicle,— In wording old and quaint, In classic language of the past, In letters pale and faint,— This tale is told. Yet once again Let it be told to-day— The old, old tale of woman’s love, Which lasteth on for aye." _NEW EDITION_ LONDON JOHN F. SHAW AND CO. 48 PATERNOSTER ROW 1879 *PREFACE.* "Why, seeing times are not hidden from the Almighty, do they that know Him, not see His days?" From the earliest ages of the world, the needs-be of suffering has been a mystery. Down to the latest, it will be a mystery still. Truly, the more we "know Him," the less mystery it is to us: for even where we cannot see, we can trust His love. Yet there are human analogies, which may throw some faint light on the dark question: and one of these will be found in the following pages. "What I do, thou knowest not now"—sometimes because it is morally impossible,—our finite capacity could not hold it: but sometimes, too, because we could not be trusted with the knowledge. In their case, there is one thing we can do—wait. "O thou of little faith!—_wherefore_ didst thou doubt?" "Oh restful, blissful ignorance! ’Tis blessed not to know. It keeps me still in those kind arms Which will not let me go, And hushes my soul to rest On the bosom that loves me so! "So I go on, not knowing,— I would not, if I might. I would rather walk in the dark with God Than walk alone in the light; I would rather walk with Him by faith, Than walk alone by sight. "My heart shrinks back from trials Which the future may disclose; Yet I never had a sorrow But what the dear Lord chose: So I send the coming tears back With the whispered word, ’He knows!’" *CONTENTS.* CHAP. I. GUY TAKES THE CROSS II. TWO SURPRISES FOR ELAINE III. ALL IS NOT GOLD THAT GLITTERS IV. A JOURNEY—AND THE END OF IT V. CURIOUS NOTIONS VI. THE PERVERSITY OF PEOPLE VII. A LITTLE CLOUD OUT OF THE SEA VIII. AS GOOD AS MOST PEOPLE IX. ELAINE FINDS MORE THAN SHE EXPECTED X. PREPARING FOR THE STRUGGLE XI. THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM XII. WILL SHE GIVE HIM UP? XIII. WAITING FOR THE INEVITABLE XIV. SYBIL’S CHOICE *LADY SYBIL’S CHOICE*