In undertaking this work, the author has one object in view: to present to the reader a true picture, painted in bright colors, of the people, their lives and characters, in that faraway epoch of this touching legend. Then, as now, people suffered, loved and hated. Now, as in that faraway time, the strongest factor of life is love. If you, the reader, while perusing the pages of this romance, letting your mind dwell but lightly on the dark episodes of that long-ago era, find contentment of heart and a truer concept of life of humanity, the author will be satisfied that his object was achieved.