personal distinction of this warrior, the most redoubted lance of Italy,
was an air and carriage of chivalric and heroic grace, greatly set off
at this time by his splendid dress, which was of brown velvet sown with
pearls, over which hung the surcoat worn by the Knights of the Hospital,
whereon was wrought, in white, the eight-pointed cross that made
the badge of his order. The Knight's attitude was that of earnest
conversation, bending slightly forward towards the Colonna, and resting
both his hands--which (according to the usual distinction of the old
Norman race, (Small hands and feet, however disproportioned to the rest
of the person, were at that time deemed no less a distinction of the
well-born, than they have been in a more refined age. Many readers
will remember the pain occasioned to Petrarch by his tight shoes. The
supposed beauty of this peculiarity is more derived from the feudal than
the classic time.) from whom, though born in Provence, Montreal boasted
his descent) were small and delicate, the fingers being covered with
jewels, as was the fashion of the day--upon the golden hilt of an
enormous sword, on the sheath of which was elaborately wrought the
silver lilies that made the device of the Provencal Brotherhood of
Jerusalem.

"Good morrow, fair kinsman!" said Stephen. "Seat thyself, I pray; and
know in this knightly visitor the celebrated Sieur de Montreal."

"Ah, my Lord," said Montreal, smiling, as he saluted Adrian; "and how is
my lady at home?"

"You mistake, Sir Knight," quoth Stephen; "my young kinsman is not yet
married: faith, as Pope Boniface remarked, when he lay stretched on a
sick bed, and his confessor talked to him about Abraham's bosom, 'that
is a pleasure the greater for being deferred.'"

"The Signor will pardon my mistake," returned Montreal.

"But not," said Adrian, "the neglect of Sir Walter in not ascertaining
the fact in person. My thanks to him, noble kinsman, are greater than
you weet of; and he promised to visit me, that he might receive them at
leisure."

"I assure you, Signor," answered Montreal, "that I have not forgotten
the invitation; but so weighty hitherto have been my affairs at Rome,
that I have been obliged to parley with my impatience to better our
acquaintance."

"Oh, ye knew each other before?" said Stephen. "And how?"

"My Lord, there is a damsel in the case!" replied Montreal. "Excuse my
silence."

"Ah, Adrian, Adrian! when will you learn my contin