“A horn sounded.
“The heavy gates were unbarred, and a handsome soldier entered the hall.
“He stopped for one moment at the entrance, as if overpowered by his emotions.
“In the next instant he had clasped Leoline to his breast.
“‘Dost thou not recognise me, Leoline?’ he said, tenderly.
“He doffed his helmet, and she saw that majestic brow, which, unlike that of Charles, her lover, had never changed or been clouded in its aspect to her.
“‘The war is suspended for the present,’ said he. ‘I learnt my father’s death, and I have returned home to hang up my banner in the hall, and spend my days in peace.’
“Time and the life of camps had worked their change upon Edward’s face.
“His hair, deepened in its shade, was now worn from the temples, and disclosed a battle-scar which rather heightened the beauty of his countenance.
“He had apparently conquered a love that was so early crossed, but not that fidelity of remembrance which made Leoline dearer to him than all others, and forbade him to replace the image he had graven upon his soul.