When he returned from victory, he was sure to endow the Church with a part of his spoil, so that when he went forth to battle he was always accompanied by her blessing.

Thus lived the Baron Raoul, the pride of the country in which he dwelt, an ornament to the Court, the Church, and his neighbors.
But in the midst of all his power and splendor there was a domestic grief which deeply afflicted the princely Barbazure.

His lovely ladies died one after the other.

No sooner was he married than he was a widower; in the course of eighteen years no less than nine bereavements had befallen the chieftain.

So true it is, that if fortune is a parasite, grief is a republican, and visits the hall of the great and wealthy as it does the humbler tenements of the poor.
***** "Leave off deploring thy faithless, gad-about lover," said the Lady of Chacabacque to her daughter, the lovely Fatima, "and think how the noble Barbazure loves thee! Of all the damsels at the ball last night, he had eyes for thee and thy cousin only." "I am sure my cousin hath no good looks to be proud of!" the admirable Fatima exclaimed, bridling up.