s. Methought
the breeze came fresh from the distant sea. I felt its breath upon my
cheek. I heard the sound of the horns, and the bay of the hounds as they
were unleashed for the chase. I mounted my palfrey, and dashed in pursuit
of the dogs. I rode as ne'er I rode before. On and on! and then, as the
clamor of the hounds told me the game was brought to bay, I reached for
my bow, and--touched the walls of my prison. Then I awoke. It was all a
dream," she ended with a sob. "All a dream, and I shall never ride in
the forest again."

"There, sweetheart! think no more on it," soothed Mrs. Shelton. "Come!
let us go down to the bonny laddie who, even if he be thine enemy is more
real than dreams."

Francis composed herself and followed the woman into the garden where
Edward Devereaux already wandered. As she answered his greeting with a
slight smile the youth ventured to enter into conversation.

"Hast heard the report?" he began eagerly. "'Tis said that the Spanish
have been driven back to their coasts by a storm, but are again preparing
to sail for England. Oh, for a chance at them! If I could but once take a
Don by the beard I would content me to stay in these walls forever."

"Say not so, Master Devereaux," said Francis. "'Tis a dreary place, and
hadst thou been here for nigh two years as I have been thou wouldst not
utter such things. 'Tis dreary--dreary!" She sighed heavily, and despite
herself a tear rolled down her cheek.

"How now, Francis," cried Devereaux touched by her distress. "Thou with
the megrims? Why, Francis, 'tis unlike thy spirit!"

"I had a dream," said Francis striving to repress her tears, "and it hath
made me long for liberty." And she related it to him.

"I wonder not at thy longing," said the lad. "I too desire with all my
heart to be free. And," he lowered his voice and glanced about for Mrs.
Shelton but she was busied over some plants, and out of earshot, "and I
intend to be soon."

"What!" cried Francis, her grief forgotten, looking at him with
eagerness.

"Not so loud," cautioned Edward. "I mean to escape, Francis, and to go to
Lord Howard to help fight the Spaniards."

"Oh, Edward," breathed the girl, "take me with you."

"Nay; I cannot. Thou art but a girl, and the risk would be too great. I
have the freedom of this inner ward, but there still remains the outer
ward and the moat, which, as thou knowest, is on all sides of the Tower,
and on the south there is the Thames also. The ha