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CHAPTER X.

ON THE LADDER OF LIFE,

OUR days passed over, and Walter Espec, quite
recovered from the effects of his struggle with
the waves, and of the salt water he had involuntarily
imbibed during his perilous adventure on the coast
of Cyprus, was at Nicosia, and engaged in chivalrous
exercises, in the courtyard of the house occupied by
the Earl of March; when he was accosted by Bisset,
the English knight, who had been a witness of his
daring exploit, and requested to repair to the presence
of the King of France.

Walter was somewhat taken by surprise and startled
by the summons. Recovering his serenity, however,
as well as he could, he intimated his readiness; and
with the air befitting a Norman gentleman who had
existed from childhood in the consciousness that his
name was known to fame, and who did not forget
that he had noble blood of Icingla in his veins, he
accompanied the knight to the palace in which the
saint-king was lodged.

At that time, Louis, not much satisfied with him-
self for having consented to winter in Cyprus, though
little dreaming of the terrible misfortunes that awaited