66 THE BOY CRUSADERS.

As Walter left the king’s presence to depart from
the palace, he turned to the knight who had been
his conductor.

‘On my faith, sir knight,’ said he laughing, but
rather nervously, ‘this reminds me more of the
adventures which in childhood I have heard related
by pilgrims and pedlars at the chimney-corner, than
aught I ever expected to meet with in the real
breathing busy world.’

‘Indeed,’ said bisset, quietly; ‘ methinks there is
nothing so very wondrous about the business. It
only seems to me that you have been born with luck
on your side—not my own case—and that you have,
without hazarding more than you are likely to do |
in the first battle with the Saracens, gained the
privilege of climbing some steps up the ladder that
leads to fortune and fame.’

‘And yet,’ observed Walter, as he laughed and
looked at the ring which Louis had bestowed on
him, ‘ beshrew me if I have had the courage to ask
either the rank or name of the demoiselle to whom
I had the fortune to render the service that has
made my existence known to this good and pious
king.’ |

‘By the might of Mary, exclaimed the knight,
‘there is no reason why you should remain in
ignorance who the demoiselle is, or what is her
name. She is kinswoman of John de Brienne, who,
in his day, figured as King of Jerusalem, and kins-
woman also of Baldwin de Courtenay, who now
reiens at Constantinople as Emperor of the Kast 5
ei her name is Adeline de Brienne,’