de, in nowise displeased,
hoping some ray of royal favour would be reflected to him from the beam
that already dawned on his companion.

We now pass on to the field, where everything was in readiness for the
combat. The knights had heard mass and made confession, these being the
requisite preparatives to the noble deeds they had that day vowed to
perform. The heralds had made the usual proclamation against the use of
magic, unlawful charms, and other like devices of the devil, when a loud
flourish of trumpets announced the approach of Stanley, who first
entered the lists mounted on a grey charger furnished with the chevron,
or war-saddle, then of great use in withstanding the terrific shock of
the assailant, being high up in front, and furnished at the back like an
arm-chair. He was equipped in a full suit of Italian armour, displaying
a steel cuirass of exquisite workmanship, deemed at that time a novel
but elegant style of defence, and destined soon to supersede the
purpoint or gamboised work called mail. If well tempered, it was found
to resist the stroke of the lance without being either pierced or bent,
nor was it liable to be pushed through into the body, as was sometimes
the case with the "_mailles_" when the wambas or hoketon was wanting
underneath. His shield was thus marshalled: argent; on a bend azure,
three stags' heads cabossed. In the sinister chief, a crescent denoted
his filiation; underneath was the motto "Augmenter." The shield itself
or pavise was large, made of wood covered with skin, and surrounded with
a broad rim of iron.

He looked gracefully round, first lowering his lance in front of the
king's pavilion, and afterwards to the fair dames who crowded the
galleries on each side. Whether from accident or design his eyes rested
on Isabella with a strong expression of earnestness rather than
curiosity. Doubtless, the noble representatives of the house of Lathom
excited no slight interest among the spectators, and the young hero
might have formed some yet undeveloped anticipations on this head.

She blushed deeply at this public and unexpected notice. The
recollection of her dream made the full tide of feeling set in at once
in this direction, much to her consternation and dismay; but when,
happening to turn hastily round, a silken bandage, loosened by the
sudden movement from some part of her dress, was carried off by the wind
and deposited within the lists, she was greatly embarrassed; and her
co