It required but a glance at the company to tell the leader.

Arrayed in a breast-plate of steel, wrought profusely with gold arabesques, over which was a mantle of dark green velvet, bordered with pearls, while above his long dark locks waved a black ostrich plume in a high Macedonian cap, such as, I believe, is now worn by the Grand Master of the order of St.Constantine, rode in the front of the party, a young cavalier, distinguished from his immediate comrades, partly by his graceful presence and partly by his splendid dress.
The squire approached respectfully, and dismounting, delivered himself of his charge.
The young cavalier smiled, as he answered, "Bear back to Sir Walter de Montreal the greeting of Adrian Colonna, Baron di Castello, and say, that the solemn object of my present journey will scarce permit me to encounter the formidable lance of so celebrated a knight; and I regret this the more, inasmuch as I may not yield to any dame the palm of my liege lady's beauty.

I must live in hope of a happier occasion.

For the rest, I will cheerfully abide for some few hours the guest of so courteous a host." The squire bowed low.

"My master," said he, hesitatingly, "will grieve much to miss so noble an opponent.