much."

And Ivo thrust his hands in his pockets, and began to whistle softly.

"Nay, now; do you?" said the bewitched fly, getting a little deeper into
the web. "Good Master Packman, do of your grace tell me how a maid
should earn that jewel?"

Ivo drew the brooch half out of his breast, so as just to allow Kate the
least glance at it possible.

"Is that the jewel?" she asked, eagerly. "Eh, but it shineth well-nigh
to match the sun himself! Come, now; what should I tell you? I'll do
aught to win it."

Ivo came close to her, and spoke into her ear.

"Show me which is the prisoner's window."

"Well, it's yon oriel, on the inner side of--Eh, but I marvel if I do
ill to tell you!"

"Tell me noting at all dat you count ill," was the pious answer of Ivo,
who had got to know all he needed except one item. "You can tarry a
little longer? or you are very busy? Sir Godfrey is away, is it not?"

"Nay, he's at home, but he'll be hence next week. He's to tilt at the
tournament at Leicester."

"Ah! dat will be grand sight, all de knights and de ladies. But I am
sure--sure--dere shall not be one so fair as you, sweet maid. Look you,
I pin de jewel at your neck. It is wort von hundred pound, I do ensure
you."

"Eh, to think of it!" cried enchanted Kate.

"And I would not part wid it but to my friend, and a maid so fair and
delightsome. See you, how it shine! It shine better as de sun when it
do catch him. You sleep in de prisoner's chamber?--yes?"

"Nay, I'm but a sub-chambermaid, look you--not even an upper. Mistress
Perrote, she sleeps in the pallet whenas any doth; but methinks her
Ladyship lieth alone at this present. Howbeit, none never seeth her
save Mistress Perrote and Mistress Amphillis, and my Lady and Sir
Godfrey, of course, when they have need. I've ne'er beheld her myself,
only standing behind the casement, as she oft loveth to do. My Lady
hath a key to her chamber door, and Mistress Perrote the like; and none
save these never entereth."

Ivo drank in all the information which Kate imparted, while he only
seemed to be carelessly trimming a switch which he had pulled from a
willow close at hand.

"They be careful of her, it should seem," he said.

"You may say that. They're mortal feared of any man so much as seeing
her. Well, I reckon I should go now. I'm sure I'm right full indebted
to you, Master Packman, for this jewel: only I don't feel as if I have
paid you for it."

"You ha