ir Frederick, in a
gentle tone, after we had sat in silence for some time, gazing at the
soul-inspiring sight.

"Surely thou art not beginning to be homesick?" I asked; for this was
the first time that I had heard my companion speak of the castle, since
we had left it.

"Oh, no," he replied, "yet I wish that I might be there," and with this
methought he did sigh.

Now, Heaven knows, no man could have wished to be in Windsor more than
did I at that moment: yet, I had not liked to say so, for fear
Harleston might think that I did relish the lazy life at court, more
than I did that of the camp. But now that he had broken the ice it was
the one subject on which I wished to talk.

"Well, Sir Frederick, and what dost thou think of her, now that thou
hast had time to well consider?" I asked, coming out boldly.

"She is indeed perfection," he replied. And then, as though to
himself:--"Eyes like the sky's deep and unfathomable blue, and hair
like nothing more earthy than a sun-reflecting piece of well polished
gold."

"Nay, not so; her hair is dark, and her eyes are hazel as her name,"
said I, in surprise;--and then, after staring at each other for a
moment, we both did see our mistakes, and burst out a-laughing.

So Harleston and I sat talking on a subject that was very dear to us,
until we did hear the bugles calling, which warned us that it was time
to return and retire. We arose and started down the hill, and back to
camp, both feeling in musing, more than talking, mood. We had not gone
far, however, when my companion called my attention to something behind
a clump of bushes, glistening in the moonlight.

"If I am not mistaken, there is danger yonder; for if ever I did see
the glisten of a headpiece, I see it now. We had better put that hill
between us and the enemy, if such they be, for, without our armour, a
doublet doth afford but faint resistance to the steel head of an arrow."

We at once started to cross the low hill that Harleston did refer to.
We had just reached the top, when two or three arrows struck the rocks
at our feet.

"A good shot, for the distance, upon mine honour," cried Sir Frederick,
as we leapt down behind the shelter of the friendly hill. We ran
quickly along the ravine in the direction of the camp, but Harleston,
suddenly stopping, said:--"Suppose we see from whom we are running,
before we do go any further. If they be but a few archers or
men-at-arms, two good knights should driv