The Truce of God / A Tale of the Eleventh Century

e forth: "And

the lion

las in h

hou hence un

t Bride of

e, grooms!-h

portcull

RM

the duke and her brother; for three weeks Gilbe

innocence and that happy alchemy which turns the merest toy to a costly treasure. There was a tender piety on the features of those children that moved the heart. Devotion lies upon the face of youth with a peculiar fitness. As we see it dwelling in that unsullied abode, we remember how the cheek of the Madonna is pressed against the infant in

you have thought that you would have offered Him some refreshing drink as He tottered under His cross up the hill of Calvary; that you would have embraced Him and wept most piteously when He fainted away in agony. How delightful would it have been to receive a smile from your suffering Lord! You have still the very same opportunity, my children, you would have had at Jerusalem. You can still run to meet y

when the bell rings, com

did Father Omehr perceive that the Lady

r face is sweeter than ever, though still more melancholy. It may have been the balminess of the afternoon, solicitude for her brother's return, or a transient fee

ion. There still remained an hour before the time for evening service, and Father Omehr proposed to the Lady Margaret a walk along the shady

as they walked together, "

rms will decide at once which of his barons are for and which against

from ill-disposed chief

much loved and feared to be assailed in his own dominions.

s as if they wer

uld rest content with praying for them, a

et's mind seemed actively and painfully employed. She br

uenced by idle fears-my whole lif

e must beware, even in reproaching ourselves, that we do not despis

lent, but she suddenly exc

red that I might thus confirm my father in his indifference to religion and my brother in his antipathy to the house of Hers. The months kept gliding by, and still I was irresolute. I have prayed, with all the ardor I could command, for

was not entirely subdued by her excited heart, t

topping short and speaking so impressively

vote your life to the extinction of the feud between the houses of Stramen and Hers-look to the duty that stares you in the face, and fulfil that vocation before you seek another! Make peace between thes

r sob as though her heart would break, but rather a sense of relief, and a sweet consolation that banished all spiritual dryness. Her instructor had often before s

o accept with resignation whatever trial He may send. And forget not to supplicate the intercession of the Blessed Mary. Open your heart to her; beg her to discover and obtain its pious wants. She whom Jesus obeyed on earth, will not ask

en joyous. There was no exultation in her look, but it was full of meek serenity. As she left the church, she met Father Omehr. She greeted him with a smile that told what a load was tak

the witchery of woman, but much of the devotion of the Saint: beautiful as she was,

-night, Father," she sa

the castle. She rode swiftly, for dark clouds were climbing up the knew the extent of his infatuation, he was revolving the feasi

hat slowly overspread the West and swallowed up the sun. There seemed to be a mysterious sympathy between him and the angry elements, or perhaps he felt flattered to find the deep thunder and arrowy lightning less potent than the feelings within his bosom. He laughed at the coming storm, while th

youth. "Your wife and children ar

next room," replied the

rd of Hers. He played upon the harp with more than common skill, and could personate the regular minnesinger to perfection. His stock of ballads was inexhausti

searching whisper, "would you like to

lied, "Yes, if I were a bul

ng a muscle, "You will not be called

w," said the other, with great sangfroid,

uth, rather sternly; "I am in earnes

a water-proof case for it. But I have no water-proof case for myself; and be

yourself as well now, as when you palmed y

tain

our harpbearer, and alter

than I can play the m

at once,"

lo

es

he

er

he

ow

young noble with

ter wait until

ng now," rep

the storm was over, and there was

the castle and bring two good horses before

upstairs, out of sigh

are r

scending at once, called his wife, exchanged a few words with her, the import of which was to keep herself invisible, and, accustomed to a ready ob

ace was completely changed, and was reduced, by means of long flaxen curls and other artificial additions, from frank manliness to almost feminine delicacy. The Lord of Hers himself could not have recognized his son in the drooping, s

the minnesinger to carry his own instrument when a harp-bearer was so near at hand. But Humbert knew how to sling the harp across his back, and Gilbert, a mere novice in the art, would have found the burden excessively embarrassing. Gilbert pressed forward without opening his lips or looking behind, until they had entered the lordship of Stramen. Humb

nce; for Gilbert's mind was wrought up to the highest pitch, and held too thrilling communion with itself to notice his companion, except at brief intervals. But when they came within full view of the dim

still; then said, with col

inquired the

at mass

we to do

t before

e an hour," re

to himself than to his attendant

ord's inexplicable behavior. But every moment was precious. He sprang

ur life! Remember it is Monday! The arm of our blessed mother, the Church, cannot protect you to-day! My wife and my children will be left without a father, and the lordship of Hers

tur

y lord into danger, and then basely deserted him? If you advance, I go with you, though I cannot guess your object, or justify your seeming madness. But I impl

nstant he seized Humbert's hand with a vice-like grip,

ned, Humbert had recovered himself, and was prepared to put forth all his daring a

in a confident tone, "

arer, wet and fasting.

o

unced to the Lord Sandrit de Stramen. The baron, who had heard of Ailred's rising fame, was delighted with the intelligence, and invited the minstrel to his principal hall. Humbert encased his harp, and having tuned it, delivered it

nging compliments, Gilbert kept a respectful distance, supporting the harp. He feared to look at the missionary, who sat, evidently little concerned about Ailred of Zurrich, wrapped in meditation. His heart had grown cold when, on entering the room, as he glanced around, he missed the Lady Margaret. Was she sick? Was the prophecy to be so swiftly consummated? He maintained hi

brilliant qualities, and a remarkable fund of wit and anecdote, so fascinated the baron that he was wholly absorbed in the charming Ailred. Gilbert sat silent and watchful, eating just enough to avoid observation. When the banquet was drawing to a close, the Lady Margaret entered the room, and glided to a seat beside the priest. The blood rushed to Gilbert's face with such a burning thrill, that he bent his head to hide his confusion.

by the wine, sounded the chords with admirable effect; and when the expectation of the audience was at the highest, he introduced a beautiful ballad, and raising his voice, sang the praises of Rodolph of Suabia. The baron and all his followers were listening intently to the minstrel, as, with a heaving breast and flashing eye, he recited the glory of Suabia and of her majestic duke. Even Father Omehr was carried away by the excited Humbert

observed. She had penetrated the youth's disguise, and the discovery stunned her. She was bewildered, and could not determine what course to pursue. Humbert sounded his harp again, and began a wild romance. Concealing her agitation, she endeavored during the song to collect her thoughts. What embarrassed her most,

baron dismissed the guests and retained the minstrel. Seizing this opportunity, Humbert told Gilbert he might retire until he was called, and the youth passed out, leaving behind only a few favorite re

aid the priest, in passing, and he re-entered th

rsting with anxiety as they strode along. When they reached the point where the corridor branched off into many smaller passages, Linda entered one that opened through a sharp-arched door upon the top of a battlemented tower. The youth felt relieved by the cold, damp wind that drove through the aperture against his burning cheeks. As they reached a recess near the tower, Linda stopped and leaned against a buttress with her arms crossed on her breast. At this moment, Gilbert became aware of the presence of a third figure, muffled from head to foot in a mantle of fur; he felt that th

e said, in an undertone, but

, but made no

coming here?" pursued

ent, his eyes fix

mysteriously-in such

l no ans

ission? Are you seeking vengeance on our house by stealth? Are you engaged in the

finding voice at last; "I

er that for years you have been

solemnly declare my

ep? Is it an idle curiosity-a mere pie

cannot long escape detection-it is dangerous to tempt my father. Go! you will find no

" exclaimed the youth, throwing h

ever fresh story, found in the mouths of all suitors in all ages. Linda stood with her eyes and mouth distended, looking as though she had been petrified just as she was about to scream. It was rather a poor omen for Gilbert that Margaret should have turned to the old servant, who had advanced a pace, and calmly motioned her back to her corner.

h, Gilbert began to conjure her not to slight his affection, and

assions. We must fling aside the scowl of defiance, the angry malediction, the sword and the firebrand, and, like Christians and neighbors, contract an alliance that may edify as much as our discord has scandalized. I conjure you, in the name of the victims already made by

he first pause in his rapid utterance, "I am most happy," she repeated

and a sound of joy trembled on his lips. This di

the love y

ntenance, and he stared wildly into t

was changed. Her cheek glowed and her eyes gleamed: a sudden animation appeared in every limb. She took a step forward, and

," she said, "do you trul

replied Gil

e love of God, and becau

i

es

are numbered here!-but what remains of life, I devote to the same holy end. We will labor together, though apart, in a noble cause-our prayers shall be the same-our hopes the same-our actions guided by t

d in the splendor of her pious enthusiasm, she seemed rath

urst from Linda, as Bertha, with her hair streaming wildly over her face and n

ried the terrified nei

ret remai

lbert, who still knelt

oice, he spran

to the leader of the party, who

bowing deeply; "your sire has comm

en said: "Offer him no violence-take hi

d passage. Had Gilbert looked behind him as he left the ravine, he would have seen a female figure there-that figure had dogged him ever since. Bertha was again his evil spirit: with a peculiar cunning, she had followed him unobserved to the interview with the Lady Margaret, and then communicated her suspicions by gestures and broken sen

y daughter? Has he bee

y Margaret

t, manifesting some impatience; "let us

head with his own hand. "There is no motive for concealment now, sir," he continue

in prayer, kept his eye fixed on the baron; the Lady Margaret bent her head in deep affliction, and Humbert involuntarily struck his harp. The single note sounded like a knell: a death-like silence ensued. Alread

designing villain who has stolen like a snake into our midst. Away with the deceiver, who

ed Gilbert, "has not yet dared to

stealth!" shouted Sir Sand

murder in

o disguise your designs

ughter's feet, and tell her that I lov

t to free himself, the ready knight seized the weapon with his left hand, and with wonderful adroitness and strength prepared for the blow. But the baron's arm was again arrested. Between the chieftain and the motionless object of his wrath sto

ear!" Such was his exclamation, as, with one ar

e baron, growing pale, a

od!" returned the

eware! You shel

your heart!" replied the old man,

terference. Again and again have you thrust yourself between me and the objects of my wr

are a demon now-and seek what, if obtained, would make you

a bugle sounded

the Lady Margaret, throwing he

Gilbert was still pinioned by the men of Stramen, and all was

said the baron to his daughter, without s

ope," interposed Gilbert, "that

advanced to his sister. After a long and vehement discussion, the King of Arles left the knight standing with hi

e," he said,

inquire

r side of th

" said the youth, pointing t

th you-they car

e, Humbert was at his

do

gained the terrace, where, to his surprise, Gilbert found his own horses that had been tied in the ravine. Bertha had brought them there.

ried the hero

addle and galloped off. But the adventures of the night were not yet over. Hardly had the

utting spurs to the somew

gain the galled creature bounded forward, but the pursuing sound came faster than they. Humbert

t one man

eplied the youth, with

continued Humbert; "h

e horseman was

gentlemen!" he c

he," muttered G

enry of Stramen, with a bitter sneer, as he wheeled his

swered Gilbert, "you should h

from your determined f

he quick, but he const

ission, sir, we

one way, and that way should already

knight leaped to the gr

!" he continued, as Gilbert

se in motion. But Henry of Stramen, with a sudden spring, caugh

ence to insult my sister, but I returned too soon for your chivalry. Dismoun

two young nobles fought in the moonlight. For some minutes Gilbert maintained his ground, despite the furious efforts of his assailant. There was a strong contrast between the desperate energy of Henry and the calm courage of Gilbert. But at length the latter began to recede rapidly down a

nce will save you again!" shout

ou once, and she shall s

regarding the denuncia

umbert, and resuming th

ing of Henr