I know that, sirs." Then turning to the gigantic fresh-dubbed
knight, he said:--

"Sir Michael, thou hast no love that will keep thee from remaining with
us at the Palace?"

The mighty man started, and looked imploringly at the King, and then
hopelessly at me; yet spoke he not a word.

"Come, Sir Michael," said I, "speak freely your mind to his Majesty.
He is not the tyrant Richard, that ever hated men to give their honest
thoughts expression."

Still did he hesitate and grew more confused with each breath.

"Ah! I see the trouble, and I think none the less of thee for thy
feeling," said the King, with admiration in his voice and manner, as he
walked to where Michael stood and put his hand upon the honest
shoulder. "Thou dost still wish to abide with your old master, and yet
fear to displease me with refusing my request. Come, am I not right?"

"Sure, that's the houle truth o' the thing, yer Majesty."

"Then go with Sir Walter, my good friend. Such loyalty doth raise thee
in mine estimation. I know full well that should I ever need thee,
thou wilt flash thy good sword betwixt the two of these good friends."

"Oi thank yer Majesty."

"Farewell, my faithful friends. In London soon I hope to see ye all."

As we left the room in which this interview took place I felt a great
lump rise up in my throat, as I thought of my faithful Michael's
loyalty. No word did I speak unto him; but I took his great hand in
mine and pressed it hard.

Right after dinner we set out for Westminster and proceeded rapidly,
until we reached the Sanctuary late in the second day following.

Joyous then was our reunion. The girls, the Queen and her daughters
embraced, laughed and wept, whilst we men, which have no part in such
scenes, stood and looked uncomfortably on.

The next day, without preparation, there took place in the chapel of
the Sanctuary a double wedding, in which the fair-haired Mary and the
gallant Frederick, and the dark-eyed Hazel and your most humble father
and grandfather, played the important parts; whilst the ex-Queen and
her daughters, together with the great Michael, lent right noble
assistance. The priests prayed; the soft voices of the choir sang
forth in tender harmony. We were blessed, and then walked from the
chapel, with the sweet music lingering like a love kiss in our ears.

'Twas as we walked forth that Harleston and I both drew from our
doublets--as we had foreplanned we would--the remembran