“Willingly and confidently, therefore, had the beautiful widow resigned her person and fortune; and what was yet nearer and dearer to her heart,--the education of her son,--into the hands of the far-famed Sir Huguenin. In what degree he might have valued the possessions thus bestowed on him I know not; for the season of love, with its sunbeams and roses, was for them of brief duration. For a space of about two years, within which time my step-sister, Blanchefleur, a living picture of her beautiful mother, came into the world, Sir Huguenin lived in our castle; then he went out across the seas, and never more returned. For his fame, and his soul’s sake, we hope that a sudden and honourable death had somewhere overtaken him. My mother never heard of him again; and the more that her happiness had been increased during the short time of their union, the more resolutely she now devoted herself to penance and seclusion. For a few years grief preyed unceasingly on her frame; and at length, with a smile of melancholy resignation, she sank into the now welcome grave. “As to that other duty, the care of my youthful education, which she had confided to him, it was, in truth, amply fulfilled. Grave, yet affectionate,--dignified, yet kind, like a guiding pillar of light, his image, even at this hour, always moves before me. Through the day he spoke with me indeed but little, but afforded me the most admirable example in the use of arms, in hunting, and in horsemanship. In the evenings he became eloquent, and proudly related to me many wondrous legends of the olden times. Little or no admonishment accompanied these stories; but they were told in such manner, that every glorious adventure came before my sight with all the force of reality, and my heart was filled with irresistible longing to obtain the brilliant honours of knighthood. This desire became the more passionate, when I reflected, that he, from whose lips I heard all those marvellous tales was himself a renowned hero, whose invincible arm had doubtless performed achievements equal to those which he described of others. Without boasting, I may truly say, that through those two years I proved myself no undeserving scholar; on which account he treated me with great kindness; and on the night before his departure, he led me into his chamber, shut the door, and said,--‘Folko, I am now going hence on a campaign;--how long I shall remain absent, Heaven knows,--perhaps it may be for ever! In your eyes I can already read the request that you would prefer, for my permission that you should accompany me to the battle-field; but that may not be; you must continue here to be the protector of your mother and the little Blanchefleur; for although you are now only in your thirteenth summer, yet, both from your prudence and skill in the use of arms, you might be counted full six years older. It shall be your duty, therefore, to protect your sister in the undisturbed possession of a wonderful