His castle was graced with
ladies of exquisite beauty, and thronged with illustrious knights; for
the honour he paid to feats of chivalry invited the brave of distant
countries to enter his lists, and his court was more splendid than
those of many princes. Eight minstrels were retained in his service,
who used to sing to their harps romantic fictions, taken from the
Arabians, or adventures of chivalry, that befel knights during the
crusades, or the martial deeds of the Baron, their lord;—while he,
surrounded by his knights and ladies, banqueted in the great hall of
his castle, where the costly tapestry, that adorned the walls with
pictured exploits of his ancestors, the casements of painted glass,
enriched with armorial bearings, the gorgeous banners, that waved along
the roof, the sumptuous canopies, the profusion of gold and silver that
glittered on the sideboards, the numerous dishes, that covered the
tables, the number and gay liveries of the attendants, with the
chivalric and splendid attire of the guests, united to form a scene of
magnificence, such as we may not hope to see in these _degenerate
days_. “Of the Baron, the following adventure is related. One night, having
retired late from the banquet to his chamber, and dismissed his
attendants, he was surprised by the appearance of a stranger of a noble
air, but of a sorrowful and dejected countenance. Believing, that this
person had been secreted in the apartment, since it appeared impossible
he could have lately passed the ante-room, unobserved by the pages in
waiting, who would have prevented this intrusion on their lord, the
Baron, calling loudly for his people, drew his sword, which he had not
yet taken from his side, and stood upon his defence. The stranger
slowly advancing, told him, that there was nothing to fear; that he
came with no hostile design, but to communicate to him a terrible
secret, which it was necessary for him to know. “The Baron, appeased by the courteous manners of the stranger, after
surveying him, for some time, in silence, returned his sword into the
scabbard, and desired him to explain the means, by which he had
obtained access to the chamber, and the purpose of this extraordinary
visit. “Without answering either of these enquiries, the stranger said, that
he could not then explain himself, but that, if the Baron would follow
him to the edge of the forest, at a short distance from the castle
walls, he would there convince him, that he had something of importance
to disclose. “This proposal again alarmed the Baron, who could scarcely believe,
that the stranger meant to draw him to so solitary a spot, at this hour
of the night, without harbouring a design against his life, and he
refused to go, observing, at the same time, that, if the stranger’s
purpose was an honourable one, he would not persist in refusing to
reveal the occasion of his visit, in the apartment where they were. “While he spoke this, he viewed the stranger still more attentively
than before, but observed no change in his countenance, or any symptom,
that might intimate a consciousness of evil design. He was habited like
a knight, was of a tall and majestic stature, and of dignified and
courteous manners. Still, however, he refused to communicate the
subject of his errand in any place, but that he had mentioned, and, at
the same time, gave hints concerning the secret he would disclose, that
awakened a degree of solemn curiosity in the Baron, which, at length,
induced him to consent to follow the stranger on certain conditions. “‘Sir knight,’ said he, ‘I will attend you to the forest, and will take
with me only four of my people, who shall witness our conference.’

“To this, however, the Knight objected. “‘What I would disclose,’ said he, with solemnity, ‘is to you alone. There are only three living persons, to whom the circumstance is known;
it is of more consequence to you and your house, than I shall now
explain. In future years, you will look back to this night with
satisfaction or repentance, accordingly as you now determine. As you
would hereafter prosper—follow me; I pledge you the honour of a knight,
that no evil shall befall you;—if you are contented to dare
futurity—remain in your chamber, and I will depart as I came.’

“‘Sir knight,’ replied the Baron, ‘how is it possible, that my future
peace can depend upon my present determination?’

“‘That is not now to be told,’ said the stranger, ‘I have explained
myself to the utmost. It is late; if you follow me it must be
quickly;—you will do well to consider the alternative.’

“The Baron mused, and, as he looked upon the knight, he perceived his
countenance assume a singular solemnity.”

[Here Ludovico thought he heard a noise, and he threw a glance round
the chamber, and then held up the lamp to assist his observation; but,
not perceiving anything to confirm his alarm, he took up the book again
and pursued the story.] “The Baron paced his apartment, for some time, in silence, impressed by
the last words of the stranger, whose extraordinary request he feared
to grant, and feared, also, to refuse. At length, he said, ‘Sir knight,
you are utterly unknown to me; tell me yourself,—is it reasonable, that
I should trust myself alone with a stranger, at this hour, in a
solitary forest? Tell me, at least, who you are, and who assisted to
secrete you in this chamber.’

“The knight frowned at these latter words, and was a moment silent;
then, with a countenance somewhat stern, he said,

“‘I am an English knight; I am called Sir Bevys of Lancaster,—and my
deeds are not unknown at the Holy City, whence I was returning to my
native land, when I was benighted in the neighbouring forest.’

“‘Your name is not unknown to fame,’ said the Baron, ‘I have heard of
it.’ (The Knight looked haughtily.) ‘But why, since my castle is known
to entertain all true knights, did not your herald announce you? Why
did you not appear at the banquet, where your presence would have been
welcomed, instead of hiding yourself in my castle, and stealing to my
chamber, at midnight?’

“The stranger frowned, and turned away in silence; but the Baron
repeated the questions. “‘I come not,’ said the Knight, ‘to answer enquiries, but to reveal
facts. If you would know more, follow me, and again I pledge the honour
of a Knight that you shall return in safety.—Be quick in your
determination—I must be gone.’

“After some further hesitation, the Baron determined to follow the
stranger, and to see the result of his extraordinary request; he,
therefore, again drew forth his sword, and, taking up a lamp, bade the
Knight lead on. The latter obeyed, and, opening the door of the
chamber, they passed into the ante-room, where the Baron, surprised to
find all his pages asleep, stopped, and, with hasty violence, was going
to reprimand them for their carelessness, when the Knight waved his
hand, and looked so expressively upon the Baron, that the latter
restrained his resentment, and passed on.