VISIONS AND DREAMS 215

astonished to find that they were separated by so wide
a gulf, and the Espec pride made him almost dis-
dainful. Still, the fair demoiselle was present in all
his visions by day and his dreams by night; and
while consoling himself with building castles in the
air when he was to reside in baronial state with her
as his ‘lady and companion,’ he was under the
necessity of contenting himself in the meantime with
worshipping at a distance, as an Indian pays homage
to his star. Ere long, however, fortune, which had
ever been friendly to Walter, gave him an opportunity
of acquiring a new claim on Adeline’s gratitude.

It was about St. John the Baptist’s day, in the
year 1251, and the King of France, having under-
taken an expedition against the Saracens, was at
Joppa, while the queen and the ladies of the Crusade
remained at Acre, which was garrisoned by a large
body of infantry under the command of the Constable
of Jerusalem, and a small party of cavalry under
Bisset, whose courage and prowess still, in spite of
his recklessness, made him a favourite with the royal
saint. No danger, however, appeared to threaten the
city. The citizens were occupying themselves as usual 5
and some of the ladies had gone to walk in the
gardens outside the gate, when suddenly a body of
Saracens, who had marched from Joppa, presented
themselves before the walis, and sent to inform the
constable that if he did not give them fifty thousand
bezants by way of tribute, they would destroy the
gardens. The threat was alarming, but the constable
replied that he would give them nothing; and having
sent a young knight of Genoa to order them off, he