eling our horses about we retraced
our steps until we came upon the road that we had left at the direction
of the yeoman. This we pursued for some little distance, and then we
beheld Lord Stanley's camp before us.

We rode up to before the noble Lord's tent and to the guard before the
door I gave my name and asked to be admitted.

The soldier had scarcely entered when out rushed Harleston.

"Ah! my dear friends!" he cried to Michael and me, "how is it that I
have the delight of having ye both here? Methought ye were with the
noble Earl," and he nodded to the westward.

"But why are ye so glum; hath aught gone amiss?" he asked, with an
anxious look.

"Ay, Frederick, everything has gone amiss." And then I told him all
the sad news.

When I had finished he stood gazing thoughtfully before him. Then he
put his hand upon my shoulder, and tenderly he said:--

"I need not tell thee to be brave; that thou ever art. But console
thee I may. Bethink thee now of that which shall happen to-morrow.
Then shalt thou have thy revenge; for the noble Richmond is not one to
let go, with his head upon his shoulders, such an one as Catesby."

"Ay, but think of that which may happen to my dear Hazel ere we have
Catesby in our power."

"Nay, thou must not think her peril greater than it is."

"How is it possible for it to be greater than it is? Is she not in
that fiend's power?"

"That I grant you. But remember that Catesby must be greatly occupied
with his master's business, and shall have short time in which to
inflict his plague-like presence on her.

"Her, no doubt, he hath sent to some place of safety, where she shall
remain until after the battle.

"The Usurper's friends all think that their victory is assured, and
that Richmond, ere sunset to-morrow, shall be without a head. Little
do they suspect that Northumberland's forces will move not to foul
Richard's aid; or that Lord Stanley here, and his brother there, will
join with the noble Richmond.

"Catesby will take his time and, when thou art dead, the which he
thinks thou soon shalt be, he'll go and gently woo the Lady Hazel.
This doth Catesby intend to do, or else I do know nothing of the man."

"Dost thou think thus, indeed, my friend; or do you say these words
that thou mayst comfort me with false hopes?" I asked, as I trembled
with hope and fear.

"Verily do I believe that which I said will prove to be the case."

"Thanks, thanks! my friend. Thou kno