device and workmanship. Good woman, look up and be happy. Take this coin for the use of chamber and an earnest of my protecyour

tion, and shew yourself in the buttery at the castle. You shall find welcome and wherewithal to add to your store. No reply, Signor Balthazar! Not a word, good dame! I have had my frolic out-but every one knows I brook no comment. When my foot is across the threshold, and my back turned, let the events of this visit be forgotten-good evening!"

Forgotten!" said Dame Madeline, as the duke and his attendant glided away, wrapped in their cloaks as before,-" Forgotten! Holy Mary forbid that ever it should be forgotten that my poor dwelling was honoured by the footing of the good duke! Oh! Signor Spalatro, didn't I tell you great luck was coming on us? Great glory is yours, and much honour have you brought me !"

"An hour gone, it was 'Master Balthazar,'

reproach and abuse," said Spalatro, "and thus the world wags in Artois as in Italy! Ah, Dame Madeline, you little guessed how an Italian master-of-arms could manage his fence with fortune. But all is now well. Go to Master Merlet, the taverner's, with this gold mouton, redeem my crimson velvet suit and silver tissue breeches-but you needn't tell how tarnished they are!-replenish the cask of vernage, get a double flask of Gascoigny, and let me have a supper fit for the playmate of Duke Philip!'

CHAPTER V.

THE following morning the master-of-arms was punctual to the duke's hour of appointment. He took his way to the castle, gaudily equipped in the crimson suit which the good dame had taken out of pledge; his bonnet to match. with plume and tassel hanging on one side his head; and his cut and thrust rapier held under his arm, when no one was near, or trailing ostentatiously on the ground, as soon as any one was in sight. He soon passed the gate of the town, traversed the suburb, crossed the

bridge over the little river Canche, and approached the precincts of the celebrated castle, where Duke Philip held at that epoch one of the most brilliant courts in Europe.

Spalatro had not an architectural or antiquarian eye, or he might have stopped to examine the antique edifice, which was built in the eleventh century, by Baldwin, Count of Artois, on the site of the ancient fort erected seven centuries previous to even that remote date, by a Roman Governor of Gaul. Our Italian passed by with equal indifference the original body of the building and the immense additions made by successive sovereigns; and scarcely noticed even the magnificent park, gardens, and pleasure-grounds that extended on all sides; his only object of inquiry being the tilt-yard. To this place he was directed with great courtesy, by the various

porters and pursuivants who did duty at the several barriers, for he found that his name acted as a sufficient

passport in every quarter, and his self-import

ance did not lose any thing in consequence. The tilt-yard was a vast square enclosed with walls at a considerable distance from the castle, and in the midst of offices for the due accommodation of horses, hounds, hawks, and all the sporting appurtenances of the princely establishment. The Italian was received at the entrance by his gruff acquaintance of the preceding evening; and on inquiring for his highness, on whose invitation he had come, the Fleming pointed to a rising ground not far off, where Spalatro soon distinguished the duke, breasting a rapid hill, which he ascended at the rate of men who run for a wager. He was, in fact, at his usual task of training for his daily exercises, which he never by any chance omitted, being as it seemed determined that every advantage of physical condition should be added to the moral courage which urged him to the combat with Humphrey of Glocester.

This preliminary being finished, Philip mounted a horse, which was held ready saddled