w long might it be ere the chance would
come. And time was passing swiftly away.

A fine elm stood before the house, and Sally resolved to scramble into
it and at least take a good look around. The branches grew closely, and
fortunately came nearer the ground than was usual.

She watched some time before daring to climb, but at length she found a
place where she could seat herself, and the great boughs made a very
good screen.

Another precious hour went by; it was between five and six o'clock.
Farm-hands were at work. Sally could see them in the distance.

All at once she caught her breath in the way natural to her when
surprised or excited.

For there at the front door stood her Fairy Prince, but with how gloomy
and clouded a face! And close beside him was a strong and stalwart man.

"His guard!" whispered Sally. "Shameful, oh, shameful!"

The two strolled out and down the path. Sally nearly choked as they
paused close by the tree. In her hand she held a bit of bark, picked
with a purpose.

The older man turned his head. Down fluttered a bit of bark close to
young Lionel's feet. Down fluttered another. The young man looked up.
Sally made a swift sign.

"I wonder which way is the wind," said Lionel; "the vane is just out of
sight."

The man walked a few yards away toward a corner of the house.

"Don't look up," called Sally, in a loud whisper, "but Hotspur is here.
Down in the dell to the right. Run! he is only lightly tied. The others
will be at Pamunkey turnpike at noon."

The man was already turning back, and Sally was surprised and, ah! how
greatly disappointed to see her Fairy Prince go quietly with him to the
porch.

Did he not hear her? Did not he believe her? The days were such as to
make men crafty, quick to catch an idea, swift to use it.

Aha! as the front door, heavy and thick, was reached and both were
stepping in, Lionel gave the man a sudden push, sending him head-long
into the hall; then he slammed to the door, and rushed like mad to the
dell sloping off to the right.

In a moment the great door opened and the attendant and another man ran
out, but almost the next instant Sally, straining her ears, heard the
rush and sweep of a fleet horse that seemed to scud like the wind,
and--her Fairy Prince was free!

"There he goes! And I helped him!" gasped Sally, hugging her own young
breast and quivering in every limb.

The men looked right and left and listened, half deceived by the sound