He glanced towards the English. They
advanced not, and the continued and prolonged sound of their trumpets,
with the shouts of the leaders, announced that their powers would not
be instantly re-assembled. He had, therefore, a moment to look after
this unfortunate woman. He gave his horse to a spearman as he
dismounted, and, approaching the unhappy female, asked her, in the
most soothing tone he could assume, whether he could assist her in her
distress. The mourner made him no direct answer; but endeavouring,
with a trembling and unskilful hand, to undo the springs of the visor
and gorget, said, in a tone of impatient grief, "Oh, he would recover
instantly could I but give him air--land and living, life and honour,
would I give for the power of undoing these cruel iron platings that
suffocate him!" He that would soothe sorrow must not argue on the
vanity of the most deceitful hopes. The body lay as that of one whose
last draught of vital air had been drawn, and who must never more have
concern with the nether sky. But Halbert Glendinning failed not to
raise the visor and cast loose the gorget, when, to his great
surprise, he recognized the pale face of Julian Avenel. His last fight
was over, the fierce and turbid spirit had departed in the strife in
which it had so long delighted.
"Alas! he is gone," said Halbert, speaking to the young woman, in whom
he had now no difficulty of knowing the unhappy Catherine.
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