I may
keep with me; it is not her life they seek. And now, my beloved child,
you understand what it is you have to do--keep up a brave heart and
endeavour not to repine at your lot, but be thankful you have not fallen
into the hands of those who would show you no mercy. But above all, my
son, put your trust in God, and pray to him that happier days may come,
when we can be together again without fear or concealment."

The next day after this conversation, Lady Clifford left Brougham
Castle, with her three children, her maid Cicely, old Hubert, and a few
trusty attendants on whose fidelity she could rely, but not even to them
did she reveal her son's destination, which was only known to her
faithful seneschal. The lady, with her maid and the children, travelled
in a litter, a sort of light van shut in with curtains, which, at that
period, when coaches were unknown, was often used by invalids and those
who did not want to travel on horseback. The litter for one person was
sometimes slung on poles and carried by men, but a large one, containing
more than one traveller, was usually mounted on wheels and drawn by
horses. It had been arranged that Rolf should meet Lady Clifford's
party in a forest, between Brougham Castle and York, and that he should
bring with him a peasant boy's coarse woollen dress, to disguise Henry
for his flight; and oh, how sad were the hearts of the mother and son
when they came in sight of the tall trees of that forest where they were
to part for they knew not how long! The path was wide enough to admit
of the vehicle, and they had not gone far when Rolf met them. He was
not in his minstrel's dress, so that the people did not know him. He
came to the side of the litter, and spoke in a low tone to the lady, who
called one of her attendants, and said to him--

"This good man brings me word that it will not be safe for us to go to
York, therefore I shall alter my course and proceed at once to the
sea-coast, and take ship for the Netherlands. He also thinks that it
would be better we should not all travel together, therefore I shall
send on my eldest son with him and Hubert. He has a conveyance waiting
close by in the forest, and when I have seen them off, I will return
here. You can, meanwhile, rest and refresh yourselves, for we have a
long day's journey yet before us."

The men, who were glad of this respite, dismounted, and began to unpack
the provisions with which they were plentifully