ad pieces;" adding in a lower tone, "he was always a fool."

"The carrion hath fallen in a pleasant place--so let the next comer look
to it, and do thou fetch hither my horse. Had it not been that my
saddle-girth gave way, I could have mastered twenty such footpads."

This was said in the tone of one who, however grateful for assistance,
would have been much better pleased to have found it needless, and to
have worked out the victory by his own hands.

Robin hurried to secure the animal, a well-trained war-horse, which had
stood quietly in the centre of the road, calmly awaiting the issue of
the combat: he observed that the saddle was turned completely round, and
hung under the belly. The horseman adjusted his cloak, wiped his sword
with the square cape, and had just replaced it in the scabbard, when the
Cavalier returned from his fruitless chase. As he advanced towards the
person to whom he had rendered such signal service, he noted that he was
a hale, stout man, probably past the meridian of life, of a stern and
awe-striking presence; and an involuntary feeling of respect made him
lift his hat from his head, and even remain uncovered while expressing
hopes "that he had received no injury from the cowards who had thus
beset his path." The other gave no reply to the inquiry, but fixed a
shrewd and penetrating gaze upon the young man's countenance. Apparently
the scrutiny pleased him, for he extended his hand, and seizing that of
his preserver, held it firmly within his palm for about the space of a
minute, then pressed it within his mailed grasp so strenuously, that the
youth felt the blood tingle to his finger-ends.

"I owe thanks and gratitude, and would fain know to whom: your name,
young sir?"

The Cavalier paused for a moment, and then said,--

"You may call me De Guerre--Walter De Guerre."

"Walter De Guerre!--an English Christian wedded to a French
surname!--'tis strange, but let it pass, let it pass: you have been an
instrument in the gracious preserving of one who, though unworthy, is of
some account; and instruments in the Lord's hand must be regarded. My
companions had business in this neighbourhood, and had left me but a
little time, when I was set upon by these cowards; but God is merciful,
and inspired you with valour. And now, sir, whither wend ye? To Cecil
Place?"

"No, sir," replied De Guerre, pondering what he should answer, or how he
should designate his present abode.

"To the worshipful sh