and.

"But how pale thou art! Come, tell me all. Art thou a brother yet?
Hast thou earned it by some pious deed, as I earned my knighthood
by a warlike one? Come, tell me all, dear Martin."

"You tell your story first. I have only heard that you have won
your spurs."

Hubert, nothing loth, told the story with which our readers are
acquainted.

Then Martin told his story very simply and modestly, but Hubert
could not help feeling that he would sooner have defended a ford
twenty times over, than have spent one hour in that plague-infected
house.

They were very happy in their mutual love, and this last meeting
was made the most of. Old remembrances were recalled, scenes of the
past brought to recollection; until the compline hour, after which
all, monks and guests alike, retired to rest, and silence reigned
through the vast pile.

Save in one narrow cell, where the sire and son were dispensed from
the rule--where the old father rejoiced in his boy, devouring him
with those aged eyes.

"God will preserve thee, Hubert. I know He will, but there will be
trials and difficulties."

"I am prepared for them."

"But God will bring thee back to thy old father, the vow fulfilled;
and my freed spirit shall rejoice in thee again. Thou knowest thy
duty. Thou must first visit the Castle of Fievrault, and there seek
of the old seneschal the sword of the man I slew. He will give it
thee freely when thou tellest thy story and disclosest thy name.
But be sure thou dost not tarry there, no, not one night, for the
place is haunted. Then thou must take the nearest route to
Jerusalem."

"But it is now in the hands of the Mussulmen."

"Upon certain conditions, and the payment of a heavy fine, they
allow pilgrims to approach. Would that thou couldst enter it amidst
a victorious host, but that day, in penalty for our sins, is not
allowed as yet to dawn. Thou hast but to pray before the Holy
Sepulchre, to deposit the sword to be blessed thereon, and thou
mayst return."

"But will there be no fighting?"

"This I cannot tell at present; a temporary truce exists. It may be
broken at any moment, and if it be, thou mayst tarry for one
campaign, not longer. My eyes will ache to see thee again, and
remember that but to have visited the Holy Places will entitle thee
to all the indulgences and privileges of a crusader--Bethlehem,
Nazareth, Calvary, Gethsemane, Olivet. The task is easier now, by
reason of the truce, although the infidel