Montreal himself wore his corselet, and his squires followed with his helmet and lance.
Beyond the narrow defile at the base of the castle, the road at that day opened into a broad patch of verdure, circled on all sides, save that open to the sea, by wood, interspersed with myrtle and orange, and a wilderness of odorous shrubs.

In this space, and sheltered by the broad-spreading and classic fagus (so improperly translated into the English "beech"), a gay pavilion was prepared, which commanded the view of the sparkling sea;--shaded from the sun, but open to the gentle breeze.

This was poor Adeline's favourite recreation, if recreation it might be called.

She rejoiced to escape from the gloomy walls of her castellated prison, and to enjoy the sunshine and the sweets of that voluptuous climate without the fatigue which of late all exercise occasioned her.

It was a gallantry on the part of Montreal, who foresaw how short an interval might elapse before the troops of Rienzi besieged his walls; and who was himself no less at home in the bower than in the field.
As they reclined within the pavilion--the lover and his lady,--of the attendants without, some lounged idly on the beach; some prepared the awning of a pleasure-boat against the decline of the sun; some, in a ruder tent, out of sight in the wood, arranged the mid-day repast; while the strings of the lute, touched by Montreal himself with a careless skill, gave their music to the dreamy stillness of the noon.
While thus employed, one of Montreal's scouts arrived breathless and heated at the tent.
"Captain," said he, "a company of thirty lances completely armed, with a long retinue of squires and pages, have just quitted Terracina.