roubled. Come, come, Sir
Walter, settle down and tell the tale of days before your hair had lost
its raven hue. My head, as ye all know, is now well capped with snow;
but yet the head itself doth still retain a deal of its wonted fire.

CHAPTER II

THE MAIDENS

The next morning after Harleston had come unto my rooms I called at his
apartments to see how he did like the way that he had been placed. I
found him in the act of completing his toilet, and therefore, as he had
not broken his fast, I invited him to come and breakfast with me; which
invitation he did readily accept.

During our meal he asked me many questions as to the manner in which
people conducted themselves at court, to which questions I gave him
very complete answers, so that he might be able to manage without any
breach of etiquette, which thing to do, at Edward's court, was not so
easy as one might imagine.

"Now, in regard to your ladies," said he, "do they insist upon being
worshiped, as do the ones of France, or are they cold and chilling, as
are the fogs of mine almost forgotten native land?"

"Thou shalt have an opportunity for the satisfying of thyself as to
that same, to-day; for I am about to take thee with me to see two of
England's fairest primroses; the one, my cousin, Lady Mary Atherby, to
whose tender care I will leave thee, and the other, Lady Hazel
Woodville, to whose mercy I do entrust my soul--if she be pleased to
take the present at my hands."

"Do these ladies live at court?"

"Yes," I replied. "They are both ladies-in-waiting to the Queen. And
now, having done all the damage we can to the present repast, what dost
thou say to a stroll through the park, where we are like to meet the
ladies, and there satisfy thy curiosity as to their dispositions?"

"With all my heart," said he. "I have never been known to be elsewhere
than in the front rank in such an attack, though ever do I meet with a
repulse."

We then strolled forth into the park, and wandered through the walks,
among the grand old trees, for some time, without meeting anyone.

"I fear that we are not destined to fall in with the enemy," said
Harleston, after we had walked in silence for some time.

"Fear not," I replied; "we shall soon commence the encounter; for
there, unless mine eyes do deceive me, is the first sign of danger."

"Thou meanest that fair outpost yonder, where those two oaks do meet
above the path?"

"The same," I replied; "but it n