He upon whom Richard had conferred the distinction of guarding his banner was no longer an adventurer of slight note, but placed within the regard of a princess, although he was as far as ever from her level.

An unknown and obscure fate could not now be his.

If he was surprised and slain on the post which had been assigned him, his death--and he resolved it should be glorious--must deserve the praises as well as call down the vengeance of Coeur de Lion, and be followed by the regrets, and even the tears, of the high-born beauties of the English Court.

He had now no longer reason to fear that he should die as a fool dieth.
Sir Kenneth had full leisure to enjoy these and similar high-souled thoughts, fostered by that wild spirit of chivalry, which, amid its most extravagant and fantastic flights, was still pure from all selfish alloy--generous, devoted, and perhaps only thus far censurable, that it proposed objects and courses of action inconsistent with the frailties and imperfections of man.

All nature around him slept in calm moon-shine or in deep shadow.