"'And he is named——'
"'James.'
"'But James what?'
"'The Fifth.'
"'Mother of God!' exclaimed the knight; 'I knew but James the First. I have been ninety years among the elves—my wife, my children—yea, it may be my grandchildren, have all gone before me to the grave!'
"Rushing past the startled priest, he threw himself in a paroxysm of prayer at the foot of the altar.
"In terror, the father followed and entered; but only in time to see the tall and reverend figure of the knight crumble away to a few pieces of bone and impalpable dust. The skull alone remained, and you saw it lying upon the altar."
The anecdote or legend of the countess (one of a kind common to many countries) produced others, for the age was one of fable and fairy mythology; so the time passed swiftly as the shades of evening deepened, and the lovers rode lingeringly on.
"So, war is at hand," said the countess, after a pause; "O Florence, my soul trembles for you!"
"Fear not, dearest—for your sake I shall be wary."