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The Lady Clarice was seated under a raised canopy, and was radiant with beauty; and though she still wore her widow's dress, it seemed to add to her charms rather than diminish them. Her brow, however, was clouded, and she looked anxiously round the hall, and when her eye rested on Amador, a flush of satisfaction came over her face. "It is strange," said she to herself, "how differently I regard the minstrel from any other person. Whenever he appears, I feel protected; while at other times I seem deserted and in danger: when once the White Knight has left the castle, I will resume the hearing of those charming lays which my dear lord loved so much, and which no one sings so well."

There was something in the expression of the lady's face which rendered Amador happy throughout that evening, and inspired him with a confidence which he had never before felt. It seemed also that Clarice was gayer since his arrival, although her manner towards the White Knight was more reserved and cold than usual.

He, on the contrary, was extremely assiduous; and his grace in the dance and his liveliness in conversation were so attractive, that not a lady there but thought him the fairest knight she had ever beheld.

Meanwhile, Amador had repaired to the neighbouring convent, and had had a long conference with a holy man whose sanctity had caused him to be held in great reverence throughout the country. While he listened to the account which the minstrel gave of the icy beings he had seen, the monk shuddered; then signing himself with the sign of the cross, he exclaimed─

"No time is to be lost, or the lady will fall a victim to the arts of the Ice King; for he it is who has gained admission to the castle, in consequence of the thoughts of the Lady Clarice having wandered in her prayers."

He then gave Amador directions how to act, and they parted.

The evening of the third day had now arrived, and the lady sat in her bower; at her side was the White Knight, who was taking his leave of her, as the time of his departure had arrived.

"Before I go, madam," said he, "let me entreat you to accept from me a token of esteem. It is a ring blessed in Palestine, from whence I came when I returned to visit this castle. It will bring happiness to her who wears it, and success in love, should you ever deign to cast your eyes on one whom you think worthy to succeed my cousin."

Clarice graciously put forth her hand, to receive an opal ring which he presented; and at the same time her thoughts, she knew not why, turned to the minstrel Amador, not as the knight supposed, to himself: but just as the ring touched her finger, and she felt the cold lips of the knight pressing her hand, the door flew open, and the minstrel rushed in the ring fell on the ground, and broke into a thousand stars; a shower of holy water, cast from the hand of Amador, covered Clarice with its crystal drops, and at her feet she saw a stream of ice only, for the White Knight was gone.

"Lady!" said the monk, who at that moment entered the chamber, you are saved─and your enemy is defeated. The White Knight was no other than the Ice King, who, attracted by your beauty, sought to gain you as a bride. It is decreed, that he to whom your thoughts have strayed, when they should have been directed to Heaven alone,