aken up my quarters at an inn, and was striving in vain to
drown my remorse in utter recklessness, in wine and mirth, when one
night, as I lay half unconscious in bed, I heard the door open. I
started up and laid my hand on my sword, but melted into a sweat of
fear as I saw the ghost of him I had slain, standing as if in life,
his hand upon the wound my blade had made.

"'Nay,' said he, 'mortal weapons harm me not now, but see that thou
fulfil for me the vow I have made. Carry my sword in person or by
proxy to Jerusalem, and lay it on the altar of the Holy Sepulchre.
Then I forgive thee my death.'

"The vision disappeared, but left me impressed with a sense that it
was real and no dream. Hence I dared to return to Malta, and
telling my story begged, but begged in vain, to be allowed to carry
the sword of the man I had slain through the campaign.

"I could not even obtain the sword. It had been sent back to hang
by the side of the rusty weapons his ancestors had once borne, in
the hall of their distant Chateau de Fievrault.

"I returned to Provence, revisited the tomb of my Eveline, saw my
boy, sought absolution, made many prayers, but could not shake off
the phantom. It was on a Friday I slew my foe, and on each Friday
night he appeared. The young Simon de Montfort was about to form
another band of crusaders, and he allowed me to accompany him, with
the result I have described. During my stay in the monastery at
Acre the phantom troubled me not, and as I have already said, I
would fain have remained there, but when they heard my tale they
bade me return and fulfil my duties to my kindred, and stir up
others to come to the aid of the Holy Land, since I was physically
incapable of ever bearing arms again.

"But I shall even yet fulfil my vow, and the vow of the man I slew,
through my boy, when he has gained his spurs. My sinful steps are
not permitted to press that soil, once trodden by those blessed
feet, nailed for our salvation to the holy rood. Hubert will live
and bear the sword of the slain Sieur de Fievrault, sans peur et
sans reproche. Then I may lay me down in peace and take my rest."

"Will thou not see my husband?"

"I cannot reveal myself here in this castle to any one but thee,
and as my tormentor pays his visits again, I will betake me to the
Priory of Lewes."

"And must thou leave thy ancestral halls, and bury thyself again,
my brother?"

"I must. My task is done. I came but to feast my eyes wit