The Prince and the Page: A Story of the Last Crusade

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Yonge Charlotte Mary. The Prince and the Page: A Story of the Last Crusade

CHAPTER I—THE STATELY HUNTER

CHAPTER II—THE LADY OF THE FOREST

CHAPTER III—ALTON LODGE

CHAPTER IV—THE TRANSLATION

CHAPTER V—THE OLD KNIGHT OF THE HOSPITAL

CHAPTER VI—THE BEGGAR EARL

CHAPTER VII—AMONG THE RUINS OF CARTHAGE

CHAPTER VIII—RICHARD'S WRAITH

CHAPTER IX—ASH WEDNESDAY

CHAPTER X—THE COMBAT

CHAPTER XI—THE VIEW FROM CARMEL

CHAPTER XII—THE GARDEN OF THE HOSPITAL

CHAPTER XIII—THE BEGGAR AND THE PRINCE

CHAPTER XIV—THE QUEEN OF THE DEW-DROPS

CHAPTER XV—THE BEGGAR'S DOWRY

CHAPTER XVI—THE PAGE'S MEMORY

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A fine evening—six centuries ago—shed a bright parting light over Alton Wood, illuminating the gray lichens that clung to the rugged trunks of the old oak trees, and shining on the smoother bark of the graceful beech, with that sidelong light that, towards evening, gives an especial charm to woodland scenery. The long shadows lay across an open green glade, narrowing towards one end, where a path, nearly lost amid dwarf furze, crested heather, and soft bent-grass, led towards a hut, rudely constructed of sods of turf and branches of trees, whose gray crackling foliage contrasted with the fresh verdure around. There was no endeavour at a window, nor chimney; but the door of wattled boughs was carefully secured by a long twisted withe.

A halbert, a broken arrow, a deer-skin pegged out on the ground to dry, a bundle of faggots, a bare and blackened patch of grass, strewn with wood ashes, were tokens of recent habitation, though the reiterations of the nightingale, the deep tones of the blackbird and the hum of insects, were the only sounds that broke the stillness.

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"Well met, my young Lord," was the stern reply. "You have found yourself a worthy way of life, and an honourable companion."

"Honourable indeed, if faithfulness be honour!" replied the boy. "Myself I yield, Sir; but spare him, if yet he lives!—O Adam, my only friend!" he sobbed, as kneeling over him, he raised his head, undid his collar, and parted the black locks, to seek for the mark of the blow, whence blood was fast oozing.

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