We turned slowly, reluctantly from the parapet, thinking of Raimbaut de Vacqueiras as he rode away to his new destiny, his wanderings from court to court, his ardent love-affairs at Montferrat, his joys and great sorrows, till at last wearied with misunderstandings, disappointments, and saddened with the restless trouble of his life, he joined the Crusades and died fighting against the Saracens.

The home of Alazais looked more shadowy and mournful than ever as we passed it on our downward way.

"De la solitaire demeure

Une ombre lourde d'heure en heure,

Se détache sur le gazon,

Et cet ombre, couchée et morte

Est la seule chose qui sorte

Tout le jour de cette maison."

CHAPTER XXIII
THE SORCERESS OF THE ALPILLES