"So have I," rejoined her sister; "but it is a legend which has become so mixed up with history, that it is difficult to ascertain its truth, and it is as well to know the tale. Now, my dear children, picture to yourselves a battle. It appears to be an engagement during a civil war, for the dress and appearance of the opponents are exactly alike. There is a gloom spread over the whole picture; the redness of sunset has scarcely faded away, and the moon is appearing in the horizon. On one side we see an infirm monarch in the grasp of a soldier, who, with his hand raised to strike the fatal blow, seems to hesitate with astonishment. On the other side, one of princely deportment is attracted by a voice from the spot where the scene I have just described is taking place. By his side a noble figure has just had his horse killed under him." Louisa guessed this picture, and asked, "Was it not this prince whose life was saved in the Holy Land by his wife's sucking the poison from a wound in his arm?" "So it is said," answered Mrs. Macdonald, "but the truth of the statement is very much doubted. Now we will stop for this evening, as I hear papa's knock; perhaps he may be able to come home early to-morrow, and help us to puzzle each other." "Oh! that will be nice," cried all the little voices at once. "But how I should like to puzzle papa," added Willie; "I will read history all the morning, when I have done my lessons." "Very well, my dear; your leisure hours will then be profitably employed, although the motive may be to give papa a difficult subject rather than a love of information on your own part. But here comes papa." Mr. Macdonald now entered the room amidst the din of little voices, all crying at once, "Do come home early to-morrow, dear papa." "Please do, uncle." 1. Henry II. pulling down the castles erected by Stephen, and discharging the foreign soldiers. A.D. 1154. 2. Richard I. parting with Berengaria, at Messina. A.D. 1189. 3. Death of Richard Coeur de Lion. A.D. 1199. 4. Prince Arthur. A.D. 1199. 5. Battle of Evesham. May 14th, A.D. 1265. CHAPTER V. "Papa has promised to come home early this evening," repeated the children to each other; "we must not begin without him. Mama, do you think he will be long?" "No, my dears, I expect him every minute; but he may be detained by business, and you must not be disappointed if he should not come as soon as you desire." "We will try and not complain," they answered, in a tone that showed they would be much inclined to do so if they had the trial. "You need not frighten yourselves," said their aunt; "he is now on the stairs." The door was quickly opened for him, and he was begged to make haste and seat himself, whilst poor baby was prohibited from paying her visit to him till they had finished. "You are expected to commence," said Mrs. Arabin, "and to puzzle the whole party."